What it's like to live in Greensboro
Greensboro is a large city in North Carolina with rent below the national average, home prices that remain within reach, commutes that run shorter than most cities, and a highly educated workforce. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Greensboro deals with household incomes below the national average, crime rates above the national average, a rent burden that leaves many renters stretched thin, and a car-dependent commute, with few people using transit.
The good
- Rent below the national average
- Affordable home prices
- Short commutes
- Highly educated workforce
- Average class sizes
The not so good
- Below-average household incomes
- Crime above national average
- High rent burden for renters
- Car-dependent — few commuters use transit
How Greensboro compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Greensboro
Based on Greensboro's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$2,344
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $46,880 a year
- 51% of Greensboro renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$48,960
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $24,480
- Homes cost 4.0× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of living▼ 17% below US
$1,172/mo median rent
Cost of living works in this city's favor. Median rent sits around $1,172 a month, nothing that raises eyebrows. Solid value overall. Home prices are reasonable, with a median around $244,800. Not a steal, but not intimidating either.
Median home value $244,800 · 51% of renters cost-burdened
Job marketNear US average
4.4% unemployment
Unemployment here is 4.4%, close to the national average of 4.3%.
City-level (BLS)
Safety▲ 113% above US
702 violent crimes per 100k
Crime is a real factor here, with violent rates significantly above the national average. That doesn't make the whole city a write-off, but it does mean specific neighborhoods deserve real research before signing a lease.
Property crime 2980/100k · Greensboro Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 17% below US
22 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 21.7 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 8 in 10 workers drive to work; 14% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are warm, with highs around 87°F, and winters are cold, with lows around 32°F and snow a regular occurrence. Rainfall is regular throughout the year.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Healthcare
1 hospital
There's one Medicare-certified hospital inside city limits, rated 3.0 out of 5 by Medicare. Hospitals in neighboring towns aren't counted here.
Medicare-certified hospitals
Education & workforce▲ 14% above US
41% bachelor's degree or higher
The population is well-educated, with 41% holding college degrees. That points to a strong professional base and generally a healthy local economy.
Schools
74 public schools inside the boundary
There are 74 public schools inside the boundary and 13 private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15:1, close to the national average of 16:1. Smaller class sizes are generally a positive sign for a district.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Guilford Courthouse National Military Park (3 miles away). There are 2 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Greensboro's strongest points are rent below the national average and home prices that remain within reach; the main tradeoffs are household incomes below the national average and crime rates above the national average. A year of median rent ($1,172/mo) equals 23% of the median household income here, about the same as the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit people watching their budget, people who want short commutes, and college-educated professionals. It may be a harder fit for anyone who doesn't drive.
See all the data for Greensboro →·All North Carolina cities →
Other places near Greensboro
All North Carolina guides →Moving to High Point →
12 mi away · pop. 116,245
Rent $1,116/mo · Income $64,561
Compare with Greensboro →Moving to Kernersville →
14 mi away · pop. 27,830
Rent $1,082/mo · Income $71,918
Compare with Greensboro →Not sure Greensboro is the one?
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