Greensboro NC vs Wilmington NC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Greensboro, NC
North Carolina · Population: 298,564
- Median HH Income$58,884
- Median Home Price$265,214
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+39.9%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Greensboro
298,564
Greensboro +
Wilmington
250,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Greensboro
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Greensboro
12.7%
Greensboro +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Greensboro
40.4%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Wilmington
32.4%
Asian
Greensboro
5.0%
Greensboro +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Greensboro
10.4%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Greensboro
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 250,887 | Greensboro + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 35.6 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 12.7% | 10.7% | Greensboro + |
| White | 40.4% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 42.2% | 32.4% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 2.3% | Greensboro + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Greensboro
$58,884
Greensboro +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Greensboro
$35,858
Greensboro +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Greensboro
$59,120
Wilmington
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Greensboro
5.1%
Greensboro +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Greensboro
18.4%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Greensboro
39.9%
Greensboro +
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,884 | $57,673 | Greensboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,858 | $35,074 | Greensboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.9% | Greensboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.9% | 37.2% | Greensboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Greensboro
$265,214
Greensboro +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Greensboro
50.3%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,214 | $419,326 | Greensboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.3% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
398
Wilmington
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
1999
Wilmington
1999
Tie
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
39.1%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
12.2%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Greensboro
18.0%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
11.5%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.5%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 17.5% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
59.1°F
Greensboro +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
42.2 in
Greensboro +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.1°F | 63.8°F | Greensboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 58.4 in | Greensboro + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Greensboro
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Greensboro
23.4 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Greensboro leads in median household income at $58,884, while greensboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,214. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Greensboro. Greensboro has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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