Memphis, TN and Greensboro, NC are two US cities boasting rich traditions, unique cultural experiences, and many opportunities. Although each city has its distinct characteristics, both offer a quality lifestyle. Your choice may depend on factors such as cost of living, education, weather and more. Here's a detailed comparison to help you decide.
Distance between
Memphis, TN and
Greensboro, NC : 573.9 miles
Memphis's population is larger by 111%. Its population has decreased by 21,973 people (3.4%) since 2000. The population of Greensboro has grown by 74,372 people (33.2%) during that time.
Memphis crime rates are higher than national averages, especially in violent crimes. However, like in every city, crime rates vary between neighborhoods. In contrast, Greensboro is relatively safer, with crime rates equal to or slightly above the national averages. Better planning and informed decisions can ensure a safe living in both cities.
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
Sex Offenders
According to our data, there are 2,629 registered sex offenders living in Memphis and 615 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Memphis is 248 to 1; the ratio in Greensboro is 467 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is larger in Memphis than in Greensboro.
Cost of Living
On average, the cost of living in Memphis is considerably lower than in Greensboro. Housing in Memphis tends to be cheaper, with lower median home costs and rents. However, healthcare is lower in Greensboro. Each city has its own advantages depending on what you prioritize in living expenses.
Income Tax
Memphis has an advantage as Tennessee does not impose a state income tax, which can potentially equate to higher take-home income. North Carolina has a flat state income tax impacting Greensboro residents.
Property Tax
Property taxes in Memphis are higher than in Greensboro. This may influence decisions if home ownership is a priority for you.
Sales Tax
Tennessee's sales tax, affecting Memphis, is relatively high compared to the national average. On the flip side, North Carolina's sales tax is lower, which positively impacts Greensboro residents.
Income
Type
Memphis
Greensboro
Estimated median household income
$44,317
$51,825
Estimated per capita income
$28,571
$32,208
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
85.5
91.2
If you make $50,000 in Memphis, you will have to make $53,333 in Greensboro to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Memphis is located on the Mississippi River and has flat terrain, ideal for outdoor activities. Greensboro, located in the Piedmont region, offers rolling hills and scenic beauty.
Memphis is home to the University of Memphis and other smaller colleges. It has a relatively favorable student to teacher ratio in public schools. Greensboro houses notable institutions like the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and has a higher high school graduation rate compared to Memphis.
Memphis has a more diverse economy, powered by sectors like transportation, healthcare, and professional services. However, its unemployment rate is slightly higher than Greensboro. The latter's economy is driven by sectors like healthcare, education, and retail trade, with a lower unemployment rate.
Biggest Employers
In Memphis, FedEx, International Paper, and AutoZone are among the city's top employers. In Greensboro, Cone Health, Guilford County Schools, and the City of Greensboro provide significant employment.
In Memphis (Shelby County), 62.9% voted for Democrats and 36.7% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Greensboro (Guilford County), 57.8% voted for Democrats and 41.4% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Memphis
Greensboro
Memphis
Greensboro
Memphis
Greensboro
2020
64.8%
61.1%
34.2%
37.9%
1.1%
1.1%
2016
62.3%
58.0%
34.7%
38.1%
3.1%
3.9%
2012
62.9%
57.8%
36.7%
41.4%
0.4%
0.8%
2008
63.8%
58.9%
36.2%
40.5%
0.0%
0.5%
2004
57.7%
50.2%
42.0%
49.3%
0.3%
0.4%
2000
56.8%
48.6%
42.3%
50.8%
0.9%
0.7%
1996
78.9%
46.9%
19.6%
45.9%
1.5%
7.2%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Memphis
Greensboro
Memphis
Greensboro
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
14.8%
9.6%
15.1%
16.5%
CATHOLIC CHURCH
6.5%
3.6%
2.7%
1.0%
EVANGELICAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1.5%
0.0%
0.7%
0.0%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.8%
1.2%
1.8%
1.5%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.5%
0.8%
0.8%
0.7%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.4%
0.2%
1.0%
0.7%
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.4%
0.1%
0.6%
0.4%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
0.5%
0.9%
0.7%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.1%
0.8%
0.4%
2.2%
INTERNA PENTECO HOLINESS CHURCH
0.1%
0.3%
0.5%
1.5%
Weather
The weather in Memphis includes hot and humidity-filled summers, with an average high temperature in July of about 92 degrees F. Winters are fairly short and cool, with snowfall being rare. Greensboro experiences a typical subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and cool winters, although it's cooler than Memphis and receives more rainfall throughout the year.
Weather and climate
Type
Memphis
Greensboro
Temperature - Average
61.9°F
58.4°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
74%
72.8%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
33%
42%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
85%
88%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
52%
46%
Precipitation - Yearly average
54.3 in
44.3 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
8.6 in
17 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
19.7%
18.3%
Sunshine amount - Average
68.7%
64.7%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
24%
10%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
74%
64%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
50%
54%
Wind speed - Average
8.8 mph
7.7 mph
Average climate in Memphis, Tennessee
Average climate in Greensboro, North Carolina
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Memphis
Greensboro
Memphis
Greensboro
Memphis
Greensboro
Memphis
Greensboro
Memphis
Greensboro
Memphis
Greensboro
Memphis
Greensboro
2018
81
69
0.24
N/A
10.4
6.7
27.1
32.1
19.0
16.7
8.1
7.4
0.4
0.2
2017
74
71
0.24
N/A
10.2
7.0
28.1
29.1
17.5
11.9
7.9
7.9
0.3
0.3
2016
76
82
0.24
N/A
10.2
6.6
28.8
31.9
19.6
11.1
8.5
8.5
0.9
0.2
2015
77
74
0.26
N/A
11.1
6.8
26.9
28.8
N/A
12.3
9.2
8.2
1.0
0.3
2014
75
72
0.27
N/A
10.1
6.3
26.5
33.5
N/A
12.9
9.9
9.0
1.3
0.4
2013
74
74
0.31
N/A
8.3
6.0
26.6
28.5
N/A
12.0
10.2
8.3
1.0
0.3
2012
94
83
0.32
N/A
9.3
8.9
29.7
32.5
N/A
13.5
10.7
9.2
0.6
0.4
2011
93
84
0.34
N/A
10.0
7.5
29.0
34.7
N/A
14.8
11.1
9.9
0.5
1.0
2010
95
97
0.43
N/A
10.3
9.5
27.9
35.6
N/A
16.0
12.9
10.4
N/A
0.3
2009
86
81
0.35
N/A
8.7
13.3
24.9
30.4
N/A
14.2
11.8
9.9
N/A
3.9
2008
94
98
0.36
N/A
10.3
11.1
26.3
33.7
N/A
16.7
13.2
12.7
N/A
6.3
2007
106
102
0.47
N/A
11.2
11.1
26.7
37.9
N/A
19.8
14.8
13.7
5.6
5.5
2006
108
90
0.43
N/A
13.0
10.3
26.8
33.6
N/A
19.4
14.7
14.9
6.3
5.1
2005
110
83
0.46
0.70
10.1
10.5
26.9
33.1
N/A
19.6
17.9
N/A
4.9
5.1
2004
98
76
0.51
0.56
N/A
12.9
24.9
24.9
N/A
19.8
14.5
N/A
5.9
4.3
2003
110
88
0.57
0.56
20.1
14.8
25.3
29.3
N/A
18.9
15.0
N/A
5.8
5.5
2002
110
99
0.58
0.65
20.4
14.3
25.1
34.8
15.6
19.7
N/A
N/A
4.5
5.0
2001
111
103
0.66
0.70
24.7
16.0
26.0
31.0
22.7
21.4
N/A
N/A
6.1
4.5
2000
103
90
0.63
0.68
25.2
17.1
26.2
31.2
24.9
21.2
N/A
N/A
6.4
4.4
Natural disasters
Type
Memphis
Greensboro
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
198.6%
76.6%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
474%
67.4%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
18%
20%
Transportation
Memphis shows robust public transit with the Memphis Area Transit Authority. It also has good freeway connectivity for commuters. Greensboro Transit Agency provides regular bus services in Greensboro, with services to the surrounding cities.
Transport
Type
Memphis
Greensboro
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
1
2
FAA registered aircraft
1
300
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
52
13
Means of transportation to work
Type
Memphis
Greensboro
Bus
0.4%
1%
Carpooled
7.5%
6.8%
Car alone
88.8%
89.4%
Taxicab
0.1%
0.2%
Walked
1.2%
1.2%
Average travel time to work
Type
Memphis
Greensboro
Average
27 min
24.8 min
Other means
22.5 min
20.9 min
Public transportation
43.5 min
42.2 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Memphis
Greensboro
Average
1.1
1.1
Drove alone
89.9%
91.9%
In 2 person carpool
7.9%
5.8%
In 3 person carpool
1.6%
1.5%
In 4 person carpool
0.4%
0.5%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.2%
0.1%
In 7+ person carpool
0.1%
0.2%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Memphis's real estate market offers affordability, with a lower median home cost than the national average. Conversely, Greensboro has seen a recent surge in real estate prices, but they are still lower than the national average.
Neighborhoods
Memphis has diverse neighborhoods such as Downtown for its vibrant nightlife and East Memphis for suburban-style living. Greensboro has family-friendly neighborhoods like Fisher Park and New Irving Park, and also vibrant areas like Downtown.
Houses and residents
Type
Memphis
Greensboro
Houses
288,491
139,565
Average household size (people)
2.5
2.3
Median year apartment built
1972
1989
Median year house/condo built
1967
1981
Length of stay in the house since moving in
16.2 years
13.6 years
Houses occupied
256,968 (89.1%)
123,955 (88.8%)
Houses occupied by owners
119,622 (46.6%)
69,834 (56.3%)
Houses occupied by renters
137,346 (53.4%)
54,121 (43.7%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$760.83
$1,295
Median monthly housing costs
$967
$981
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$201,932
$336,309
Estimated median house or condo value
$142,800
$186,200
Median numbers of rooms
5.5
5.3
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.8
4
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.6
6.3
Median house price - detached houses
$205,904
$261,886
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
Over $1,000,000
$205,442
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$145,165
$240,978
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$201,411
$129,256
Median house price - mobile homes
$93,577
$86,037
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$170,154
$221,087
Median house price - All housing units
$204,886
$252,845
Median house age
52
37
Renting percentage
48.1%
47.5%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,032.8
1,332.9
House value disparities
44.1%
36.2%
Household income disparities
48.2%
45.9%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$72,611
$75,953
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$53,615
$62,470
Housing units without a mortgage
1,461 (2%)
1,421 (3.1%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
3,970 (5.4%)
3,736 (8.1%)
Housing units with a mortgage
71,386 (98%)
44,909 (96.9%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
322 (0.4%)
227 (0.5%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
5,907 (8.1%)
5,099 (11%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
16
12
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
5.7%
1.8%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
4.6%
0.5%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Memphis
Greensboro
One, detached
61.0%
55.4%
One, attached
5.8%
7.3%
Two
2.1%
1.7%
3 or 4
7.4%
5.4%
5 to 9
9.1%
9.0%
10 to 19
5.6%
8.6%
20 to 49
1.8%
7.0%
50 or more
6.2%
4.3%
Mobile homes
0.8%
1.3%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.1%
0.0%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
16,111
6,258
State government workers
7,650
9,041
Unpaid family workers
668
205
Industries and Occupations
Transportation/logistics, healthcare, and music industries stand out in Memphis. The city is known globally for companies like FedEx. Greensboro has a diverse economy with strengths in sectors like healthcare, education, and advanced manufacturing.
Both cities offer good health care, but Greensboro ranks higher in health care accessibility and affordability. It houses Cone Health, a regional healthcare network, while Memphis is home to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, renowned nationally.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Memphis
Greensboro
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Memphis boasts a strong infrastructure, owing to its position as a transportation hub. Greensboro’s roadway system connects to bigger cities easily but has fewer large-scale facilities compared to Memphis. Both cities have good utilities, and internet connectivity.
Infrastructure
Type
Memphis
Greensboro
Hospitals
35
16
TV stations
14
10
Arenas or stadiums
2
1
Bank branches located here
160
97
Bank institutions located here
33
19
Main business address for public companies
17
11
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
0
3
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Memphis
Greensboro
1999
2,195
1,540
2000
2,406
1,012
2001
1,775
739
2002
1,444
787
2003
2,116
568
2004
3,266
692
2005
4,730
748
2006
5,833
880
2007
3,559
653
2008
1,174
290
2009
345
164
Culture and Food
Memphis is known for BBQ, soul food, and being a center for Blues music. It also hosts annual events like Beale Street Music Festival. Greensboro offers a mix of cultural cuisines and has multiple yearly events like National Folk Festival.
Sports Teams
Memphis hosts NBA’s Grizzlies and minor league baseball’s Redbirds. Greensboro does not have a major league team but is avid in college basketball, especially UNC Greensboro and Greensboro Swarm of the NBA G League.
Memphis, TN
Greensboro, NC
Memphis, TN and 
Greensboro, NC : 573.9 miles
