City comparison
Yes. Tampa's crime index is 93 versus 214 in Greensboro, and its violent crime index is 112 versus 235, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Greensboro is cheaper. Median rent is $1,172 a month versus $1,701 in Tampa.
Safety is where Tampa and Greensboro split most clearly. Tampa scores 121 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,701 in Tampa and $1,172 in Greensboro.
Tampa is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Greensboro makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Tampa is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Greensboro at $1,172 average has pockets that run $972 and others at $1,572: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Tampa and Greensboro are 583 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,701 a month in Tampa to $1,172 a month in Greensboro, down $529 a month (31%).
Median household income goes from $75,475 in Tampa to $61,515 in Greensboro, down $13,960 (18%).
The crime index goes from 93 in Tampa to 214 in Greensboro, up 121 points (130%).
The move
Greensboro and Tampa are 583 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,172 a month in Greensboro to $1,701 a month in Tampa, up $529 a month (45%).
Median household income goes from $61,515 in Greensboro to $75,475 in Tampa, up $13,960 (23%).
The crime index goes from 214 in Greensboro to 93 in Tampa, down 121 points (57%).
Tampa, FL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Greensboro, NC
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Tampa and Greensboro? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
31% cheaper
Greensboro rent is 31% cheaper than Tampa
Tampa
$1,701/mo
Greensboro
Winner$1,172/mo
Typical rent runs $1,172 a month in Greensboro versus $1,701 in Tampa, so Greensboro is 31% cheaper. That's roughly $529/month back in your pocket ($6,348/year). Over five years that's $31,740 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Tampa, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Greensboro is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Tampa? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
23% higher
Tampa's median income is 23% higher than Greensboro
Tampa
Winner$75,475
Greensboro
$61,515
Median household income is $75,475 in Tampa versus $61,515 in Greensboro, so typical pay runs 23% higher in Tampa (about $13,960 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Tampa is the stronger labor market on paper. Greensboro can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
57% lower crime
Tampa's crime index is 57% lower than Greensboro
Tampa
Winner93 (100 = avg)
Greensboro
214 (100 = avg)
Tampa's crime index is 93 versus 214 in Greensboro (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 57% lower in Tampa. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Tampa is the easier city. Greensboro can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
33% more comfortable
Tampa weather is 33% more comfortable than Greensboro
Tampa
Winner75°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Greensboro
56°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 75/100
Tampa averages about 75°F (83°F highs); Greensboro averages about 56°F (67°F highs). Tampa sits near 75°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Greensboro averages around 56°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Tampa scores 33% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Greensboro if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 23% higher ($75,475), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 75°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Tampa is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 57% lower than Greensboro (93 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Greensboro
Greensboro is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 31% cheaper here at about $1,172 a month. Choose Greensboro if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Safety is the widest gap: Tampa scores 62/100 versus 37/100 in Greensboro. Rent is $1,701/month in Tampa and $1,172/month in Greensboro, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Tampa still pays more locally ($75,475 median income vs $61,515), which can offset the lease if your field pays Tampa rates.
Weather averages land near 75°F in Tampa and 56°F in Greensboro.
Tampa is ahead on safety (62/100 vs 37/100); Greensboro is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,172/month rent plus $61,515 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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