Depending on which server one plays on, there can be a great deal of RP or almost none at all.
Virtue, for instance, is the unofficial RP server. Thus, Pocket D (a dance club-themed neutral zone) is often brimming with heroes, and villains alike, chatting, arguing, dancing, or any number of other RP activities.
Conversely, it is rare to find a RP'er on Justice.
Also, many Supergroups (guilds) on Virtue are RP-based and encourage, if not require, at least some RP.
Though I am playing EQ II currently, I still pop into CoH/CoV now and then to see how things are going. One thing I enjoy most about the game is that you can play with friends regardless of level difference thanks to the Exemplar/Sidekick system (mentoring either way).
City of Heroes/Villains is NOT a loot-based game so greed is not a problem. Poor costume design, however, sadly is. (For many folks, appearance is what it's all about).