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Raleigh vs Greensboro: Full Comparison

Updated November 2026 · Cost of living, safety, and climate data

Quick Answer

Raleigh is 9% more expensive than Greensboro. Greensboro is 19% safer. Raleigh population: 506,306. Greensboro population: 308,667.

Which city is better for you?

Cost of LivingGreensboro
SafetyGreensboro
HousingGreensboro

Based on cost of living indices, FBI crime data, and NOAA climate records.

Cost of Living: Raleigh vs Greensboro

Greensboro is more affordable overall, with a cost of living index of 92 vs 100 (national average = 100). That's a difference of 8 index points.

CategoryRaleighGreensboro
Overall Index10092
Housing$2,100/moIndex: 118$1,744/moIndex: 98
Groceries$410/moIndex: 100$398/moIndex: 97
Transportation$350/moIndex: 100$343/moIndex: 98
Healthcare$320/moIndex: 100$314/moIndex: 98
Utilities$209/moIndex: 95$207/moIndex: 94

Index 100 = national average. Dollar amounts are estimated monthly costs. Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities, C2ER Cost of Living Index.

Safety: Raleigh vs Greensboro

Greensboro is 19% safer overall, with a crime rate of 21.4 per 1,000 residents vs Raleigh's 26.5. Greensboro earns a B- safety grade compared to Raleigh's C+. Based on 2023 FBI data.

C+

Raleigh

North Carolina

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate26.5/1K
TrendDeclining
B-

Greensboro

North Carolina

Overall GradeB-
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate21.4/1K
TrendImproving
MetricRaleighGreensboro
Overall Crime Rate26.5/1K21.4/1K
Violent Crime Rate421.8404.2
Property Crime Rate2232.61740.2
Murder Rate7.17.5
Assault Rate354.9298.7
Robbery Rate62.056.3
Burglary Rate371.5260.2
Theft Rate1437.71474.1
Vehicle Theft Rate362.9159.5

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Victim Odds

In Raleigh, you have a 1 in 38 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 47 in Greensboro.

Climate Comparison

Climate data is only available for Raleigh. A full comparison requires both cities.

Raleigh Climate Overview

Annual High71.3°F
Annual Low50.5°F
Annual Rain43.1"
Annual Snow4.5"
Comfortable Months6
Best MonthMay
Worst MonthJanuary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ColdComfortableWarm

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Raleigh cheaper than Greensboro?
Greensboro is 9% more affordable than Raleigh, with a cost of living index of 92 vs 100 (100 = national average). Housing is the biggest difference, at $2,100/mo in Raleigh vs $1,744/mo in Greensboro.
Is Raleigh safer than Greensboro?
Greensboro is 19% safer overall, with a crime rate of 21.4 per 1,000 residents vs Raleigh's 26.5. Greensboro earns a B- safety grade. Based on 2023 FBI data.
Should I move to Raleigh or Greensboro?
It depends on your priorities. Greensboro is safer (B- grade). Greensboro is more affordable (index 92 vs 100). Raleigh has a population of 506,306 and Greensboro has 308,667. Consider job market, culture, and proximity to family alongside these data points.
How big is Raleigh compared to Greensboro?
Raleigh has a population of 506,306 and Greensboro has 308,667. Raleigh is 64% larger by population.
Is housing cheaper in Raleigh or Greensboro?
Housing is cheaper in Greensboro. Estimated monthly housing costs: Raleigh $2,100/mo vs Greensboro $1,744/mo. That's based on a housing index of 118 vs 98 (100 = national average of $1,780/mo).

Learn More About Each City

C+
Raleigh Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
B-
Greensboro Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
Salary CalculatorClimate Compare ToolSafety Comparison Tool

Safety data: 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities and C2ER Cost of Living Index. Climate: NOAA 30-year normals. Not a substitute for local guidance.

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