Skyline of Greensboro
Cost of Living: 92.4 299,035

Greensboro, NC, US

Gate City with civil rights history, four seasons, and affordable Piedmont living.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 92.4

Below Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 82.5

Affordable

Median Income $48,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.5%

Job market health

Greensboro vs US Average

Cost of Living
Greensboro: 92.4
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Greensboro: 82.5
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Greensboro: 4.75%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 4.8%
  • Sales Tax: 6.8%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $48,000
  • Unemployment: 3.5%
  • Population: 299,035

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 218/year
  • Summer High: 88°F
  • Winter Low: 29°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5b

Housing

  • Median Home: $220,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1050/mo

Cost of Living

Greensboro's cost of living index is 92.4 (US average = 100).

CategoryGreensboroNational AverageDifference
Overall92.4100-7.6%
Housing82.5100-17.5%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$220,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1050/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,313/mo
Price per Sq Ft$146

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
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$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Greensboro:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$105Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$74Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)$4Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$50Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$55Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$25Private service
Total Utilities$313Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Greensboro scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
92.4
Rent
$1050
Sunny Days
218
Tax
4.75%
Unemployment
3.5%
Climate
88°F / 29°F
Safety
14.1 homicides/100k
Population
299,035
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Greensboro has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January49°F29°F2.5"
April73°F44°F2.8"
July88°F63°F1.5"
October68°F47°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5b

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Greensboro faces the following natural hazards:

Flood High Risk

Flash floods.

Heat Wave High Risk

Summer heat waves.

Landslide High Risk

Appalachian region with landslides.

Tornado Moderate Risk

Tornado risk.

Hurricane Moderate Risk

Inland effects from hurricanes.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Wildfire risk in forested areas.

Blizzard Moderate Risk

Winter storms.

Drought Moderate Risk

Periodic drought conditions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 4.75%
  • Sales Tax: 6.75%
  • Property Tax: ~1.12% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.5%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Greensboro per 100,000 residents:

923.7
Violent Crime
3,383.1
Property Crime
14.1
Homicide

Data source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting

Schools & Education

29/100
School Quality Score
Better than 12% of US cities
?
77
Total Schools
13.4:1
Student:Teacher
99.6%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Universities & Higher Education

2
Universities
#1142
Top University Rank
Top-Ranked University University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Greensboro, NC, US?

The cost of living index in Greensboro is 92.4, which is Lower the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Greensboro?

The median home price in Greensboro is $220,000. The housing index is 82.5.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Greensboro is approximately $1050/mo.

Does Greensboro, NC have income tax?

Greensboro is in NC, which has an income tax rate of 4.75%.

What is the climate like in Greensboro?

Greensboro enjoys approximately 218 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 88°F, while winter lows can drop to around 29°F.

Relocation Guides

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.