Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Greensboro, NC
VS
Joliet, IL
🏆 Greensboro leads 14 of 23 categories
Greensboro
North Carolina
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$55,051
Violent Crime Index
243⚠ High
Population
297,202 ✓ Larger
Joliet
Illinois
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$84,971 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
92 ✓ Safer
Population
150,221
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Greensboro, NC
Pros
Homes cost $37k less ($197,200 vs $233,800)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.7 pts lower (5.5%)
More college-educated — 39.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Rent averages $126/mo less ($1,048 vs $1,174)
Milder winters — January highs near 50°F vs 31°F
Cons
Median income trails Joliet by $29,920/yr
Violent crime (923.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3383.1/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Joliet, IL
Pros
62% less violent crime than Greensboro
Households earn $29,920 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 89°F
Cons
Higher unemployment (6.2% vs 5.5%)
Cost of living runs 10% higher than Greensboro
Longer commutes — 29.6 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Greensboro
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Greensboro
Median Home Value
$37k less
$197,200 vs $233,800
Greensboro
Unemployment
0.7 pp lower
5.5% vs 6.2% unemployment
Greensboro
Summer Heat
5.0°F warmer
July avg high 88.6°F vs 83.6°F
Joliet
Median Income
$29,920
$84,971 vs $55,051/yr
Joliet
Violent Crime
62% lower
350.0 vs 923.7 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Joliet, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper | 102.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $197,200 ✓ Lower | $233,800 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,048 ✓ Lower | $1,174 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $55,051 | $84,971 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 21.4 min ✓ Shorter | 29.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 9.7% ✓ Higher | 6.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 210⚠ High | 79 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 243⚠ High | 92 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 161⚠ High | 59 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (107) ✓ Better | B- (93) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.1:1 | 14.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 39.9% ✓ Higher | 24.9% |
| High School or Higher | 90.1% ✓ Higher | 84.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Guilford County Schools | Joliet PSD 86 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 50.0°F ✓ Warmer | 31.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 88.6°F ✓ Warmer | 83.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 45.9" | 40.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 7.1" ✓ Less | 16.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 297,202 ✓ Larger | 150,221 |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 34.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.6% | 72.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.1% | 26.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.6% ✓ More | 10.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Greensboro's cost of living index is 92.7 vs Joliet's 102.6 (US average = 100).
Greensboro is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Greensboro leads 14 of 23 categories. Greensboro wins 14 and Joliet wins 9. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Greensboro to Joliet or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($197,200 vs $233,800 median home), income ($55,051 vs $84,971), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Greensboro, NC and Joliet, IL are about 584 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.