Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 98,677 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 38.0 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 7.5% | Baltimore + |
| White | 27.4% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 60.0% | 29.0% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 8.6% | Roanoke + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Baltimore +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Roanoke
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $52,671 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $34,792 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $69,581 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 19.7% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 28.9% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $279,668 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Roanoke
1726
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1726 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Baltimore +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Baltimore +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Baltimore +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 41.9% | Baltimore + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 14.9% | Baltimore + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.0% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.7% | Baltimore + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Baltimore +
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Baltimore +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 56.0°F | Baltimore + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 44.5 in | Baltimore + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baltimore leads in median household income at $59,623, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baltimore scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.1%.
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