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Cost of living in Greensboro, NC

Livability score 69 · cost-of-living index 92.9 (US = 100)

Greensboro, NC
Photo: Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

How Greensboro compares

Where Greensboro falls within the range of all 200 metros (marker = this city).

Cost-of-living index (US=100) 85 118 Cost-of-living index (US=100): 93 — range 85 to 118 across all metros 93 Median home price $149k $1610k Median home price: $266k — range $149k to $1610k across all metros $266k Price per sqft (more house = lower) $88 $1074 Price per sqft (more house = lower): $133 — range $88 to $1074 across all metros $133 Combined sales tax 0.0% 11.5% Combined sales tax: 7.0% — range 0.0% to 11.5% across all metros 7.0% Property tax rate 0.28% 2.76% Property tax rate: 0.85% — range 0.28% to 2.76% across all metros 0.85% Violent crime (per 100k, state avg) 110 1,000 Violent crime (per 100k, state avg): 400 — range 110 to 1,000 across all metros 400 Electricity (¢/kWh) 12.3 46.6 Electricity (¢/kWh): 16.3 — range 12.3 to 46.6 across all metros 16.3 Avg summer high (°F) 65° 104° Avg summer high (°F): 89° — range 65° to 104° across all metros 89° Avg winter low (°F) -2° 72° Avg winter low (°F): 30° — range -2° to 72° across all metros 30°

Map of Greensboro

Grocery stores, parks, golf courses and more — real listings. Toggle categories in the legend.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · business listings via Google Maps

Cost of living

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100) 92.9 metro-area #70 of 200
Grocery index (US=100) 96.8 metro-area #106 of 200
Big Mac price (est.) $5.29 metro-area #70 of 200
Median household income $59,567 metro-area #175 of 200
Median wage (all occupations) $36,037 metro-area #162 of 200

Who lives here

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Median age 38.9 years metro-area #106 of 200
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+) 31.4% metro-area #118 of 200
Foreign-born residents 9.5% metro-area #78 of 200
Homes that are owner-occupied 63.8% metro-area #132 of 200

Economy

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Unemployment rate 5.11% metro-area #100 of 200
Population growth (5-yr) +3.1% metro-area #114 of 200

Housing — what your money buys

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Median home price $266,370 metro-area #56 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability) 4.5× metro-area #81 of 200
1-yr home appreciation +1.5% metro-area #99 of 200
Price per square foot $133 metro-area #48 of 200
Typical home size (implied) 2,000 sqft
Median rent (monthly) $1,424 metro-area #60 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory) 2,535
Median days on market 16 metro-area #90 of 200

Taxes

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income) 9.9% state #88 of 200
Combined sales tax 6.98% state #55 of 200
State income tax (top rate) 4.25%
Capital gains tax 4.25% state #78 of 200
High earners No special surtax
Social Security in retirement Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate 0.85% metro-area #97 of 200
Median property tax paid $1,607 metro-area #42 of 200

Health & childcare

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Life expectancy at birth 75.1 years metro-area #148 of 200
Healthcare (annual, single adult) $6,600 state #65 of 200
Uninsured (share of residents) 11.0% metro-area #137 of 200
Primary care providers per 100k 68 metro-area #136 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center) $10,000 state #58 of 200

Vehicles & commute

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Annual registration $130 state #107 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual) 1.10% of value (~$308/yr) state #146 of 200
Emissions testing Required
Emissions detail Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices 9
Avg commute to work 23 min metro-area #63 of 200
Commute by driving alone 76.7% metro-area #126 of 200
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min 27.9% metro-area #61 of 200

Utilities & fuel

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Electricity 16.3¢/kWh state #72 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill $146 state #72 of 200
Gasoline $3.20/gal state #63 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill) $62 state #69 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill) $78 state #36 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill) $80 state #106 of 200

Insurance

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Home insurance (annual) $2,000 state #110 of 200
Auto insurance (annual) $1,400 state #18 of 200

Disaster risk & supplemental insurance

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Main natural hazards Notable hazards: hurricanes, flooding — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk) 88.5 — Relatively Moderate metro-area #86 of 200
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP) $800 state #120 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual) $100 state #1 of 200

Climate & air quality

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner) 45 metro-area #91 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load) 1,600 metro-area #119 of 200
Homes with air conditioning (state) 91% state #115 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load) 3,400 metro-area #85 of 200
Days per year ≥ 90°F 29 metro-area #99 of 200
Days per year ≥ 100°F 0 metro-area #5 of 200
Avg summer high (state) 89°F metro-area #113 of 200
Avg winter low 30°F metro-area #89 of 200
Annual precipitation 43.6" metro-area #101 of 200
Annual snowfall 5.2" metro-area #89 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible) 58% metro-area #105 of 200
Plant hardiness zone 7b
Frost window 04-01 → 11-10

Safety

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg) 400 state #100 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg) 2,200 state #98 of 200

Local amenities & recreation

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Grocery stores 19 metro-area #174 of 200
Parks 23
Hiking areas 9
Golf courses 16
Shooting ranges 7
Lakes 2

Permits

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5) 3 state #87 of 200
Permit detail Moderate

US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.

Top employers in Greensboro

Major public and private employers in the Greensboro, NC area.

EmployerSectorJobs
Guilford County Schools Education Search →
Cone Health Healthcare Search →
VF Corporation Retail Careers →
Proctor & Gamble consumer goods Careers →
Honda Aircraft Aerospace/Defense Search →
Mack Trucks automotive Careers →

Salaries by occupation in Greensboro

Local median pay, BLS OEWS. All occupations →

OccupationMedian pay
Dentists $167,170
Marketing Managers $141,550
Financial Managers $137,390
Pharmacists $132,870
Lawyers $129,030
Physician Assistants $127,510
Software Developers $123,930
Human Resources Managers $117,940
Data Scientists $101,720
Construction Managers $101,420
Mechanical Engineers $100,940
General & Operations Managers $100,410
Physical Therapists $98,050
Civil Engineers $82,920
Dental Hygienists $81,110
Registered Nurses $80,950
Web Developers $79,450
Accountants & Auditors $77,580
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $53,700
Graphic Designers $53,000
Plumbers, Pipefitters & Steamfitters $51,350
Electricians $50,950
Elementary School Teachers $50,500
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $49,720
Welders, Cutters & Solderers $48,520
Carpenters $45,950
Real Estate Sales Agents $44,650
Medical Assistants $43,560

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