Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 98,677 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 38.0 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 7.5% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 34.1% | 29.0% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 3.1% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 8.6% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $52,671 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $34,792 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.5% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 19.7% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 28.9% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 41.9% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 14.9% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.4% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 16.7% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Charlotte +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 44.5 in | Charlotte + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, 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 398 in Charlotte. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
Compare More Cities
Charlotte, NC vs New York, NYCharlotte, NC vs Los Angeles, CACharlotte, NC vs Chicago, ILCharlotte, NC vs Houston, TXCharlotte, NC vs Phoenix, AZCharlotte, NC vs Philadelphia, PA