Atlanta GA vs Roanoke VA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Atlanta +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 98,677 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 38.0 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 7.5% | Atlanta + |
| White | 39.9% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 46.9% | 29.0% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 3.1% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 8.6% | Roanoke + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Atlanta +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $52,671 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $34,792 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 19.7% | Atlanta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 28.9% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 41.9% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.9% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.4% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 16.7% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Atlanta. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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