Broken Arrow OK 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)
Broken Arrow, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 115,919
- Median HH Income$85,220
- Median Home Price$289,352
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
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
Broken Arrow
115,919
Broken Arrow +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Broken Arrow
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Broken Arrow
37.0
Broken Arrow +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Broken Arrow
8.2%
Broken Arrow +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Broken Arrow
68.4%
Broken Arrow +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Broken Arrow
5.9%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Broken Arrow
4.6%
Broken Arrow +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Broken Arrow
11.3%
Broken Arrow +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Broken Arrow
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,919 | 98,677 | Broken Arrow + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 38.0 | Broken Arrow + |
| Foreign Born | 8.2% | 7.5% | Broken Arrow + |
| White | 68.4% | 57.5% | Broken Arrow + |
| Black | 5.9% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 3.1% | Broken Arrow + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 8.6% | Broken Arrow + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Broken Arrow
$85,220
Broken Arrow +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Broken Arrow
$46,356
Broken Arrow +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Broken Arrow
$57,929
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Broken Arrow
4.3%
Broken Arrow +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Broken Arrow
9.0%
Broken Arrow +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Broken Arrow
35.0%
Broken Arrow +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,220 | $52,671 | Broken Arrow + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,356 | $34,792 | Broken Arrow + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.5% | Broken Arrow + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.0% | 19.7% | Broken Arrow + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 28.9% | Broken Arrow + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Broken Arrow
$289,352
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Broken Arrow
72.6%
Broken Arrow +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,352 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 72.6% | 51.7% | Broken Arrow + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
429
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
2375
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
33.7%
Broken Arrow +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
10.6%
Broken Arrow +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Broken Arrow
16.9%
Broken Arrow +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
9.1%
Broken Arrow +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
14.1%
Broken Arrow +
Roanoke
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
13.2%
Broken Arrow +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 41.9% | Broken Arrow + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.9% | Broken Arrow + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 18.4% | Broken Arrow + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 11.0% | Broken Arrow + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.7% | Broken Arrow + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 16.7% | Broken Arrow + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 44.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
8.8 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Broken Arrow
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Broken Arrow
23.3 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.3 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Broken Arrow leads in median household income at $85,220, 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 429 in Broken Arrow. Broken Arrow has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Broken Arrow scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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