Austin TX 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 98,677 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 38.0 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 7.5% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 57.5% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 3.1% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 8.6% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $52,671 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $34,792 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.5% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 19.7% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 28.9% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 41.9% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 14.9% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 18.4% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 16.7% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 44.5 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, 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 442 in Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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