Cambridge MA 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)
Cambridge, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 117,794
- Median HH Income$126,469
- Median Home Price$1,041,988
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+80.2%
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
Cambridge
117,794
Cambridge +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cambridge
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Cambridge
30.5
Cambridge +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Cambridge
28.8%
Cambridge +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Cambridge
57.5%
Cambridge +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Cambridge
10.5%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Cambridge
19.7%
Cambridge +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Cambridge
8.9%
Cambridge +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Cambridge
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,794 | 98,677 | Cambridge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.5 | 38.0 | Cambridge + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 7.5% | Cambridge + |
| White | 57.5% | 57.5% | Cambridge + |
| Black | 10.5% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 3.1% | Cambridge + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 8.6% | Cambridge + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cambridge
$126,469
Cambridge +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
Roanoke
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Cambridge
12.4%
Cambridge +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $126,469 | $52,671 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,789 | $34,792 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $69,581 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.5% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 19.7% | Cambridge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 80.2% | 28.9% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Cambridge
33.7%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,041,988 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
326
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
1086
Cambridge +
Roanoke
1726
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1726 | Cambridge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
21.9%
Cambridge +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
5.9%
Cambridge +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cambridge
16.0%
Cambridge +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
18.5%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.9% | 41.9% | Cambridge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.9% | 14.9% | Cambridge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.4% | Cambridge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 3.8% | 11.0% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 16.7% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | 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.)
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Cambridge +
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cambridge
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Cambridge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cambridge
28.3 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cambridge leads in median household income at $126,469, 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 326 in Cambridge. Cambridge has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Cambridge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cambridge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.9%.
Compare More Cities
Cambridge, MA vs New York, NYCambridge, MA vs Los Angeles, CACambridge, MA vs Chicago, ILCambridge, MA vs Houston, TXCambridge, MA vs Phoenix, AZCambridge, MA vs Philadelphia, PA