Cheyenne WY 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)
Cheyenne, WY
Wyoming · Population: 58,754
- Median HH Income$69,171
- Median Home Price$388,590
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
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
Cheyenne
58,754
Roanoke
98,677
Roanoke +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cheyenne
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Cheyenne
37.0
Cheyenne +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Cheyenne
2.1%
Roanoke
7.5%
Roanoke +
White
Cheyenne
89.9%
Cheyenne +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Cheyenne
0.6%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Cheyenne
0.5%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Cheyenne
8.9%
Cheyenne +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Cheyenne
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,754 | 98,677 | Roanoke + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 38.0 | Cheyenne + |
| Foreign Born | 2.1% | 7.5% | Roanoke + |
| White | 89.9% | 57.5% | Cheyenne + |
| Black | 0.6% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 8.6% | Cheyenne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cheyenne
$69,171
Cheyenne +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Cheyenne
$41,460
Cheyenne +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cheyenne
$77,800
Cheyenne +
Roanoke
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Cheyenne
3.9%
Cheyenne +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Cheyenne
11.2%
Cheyenne +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cheyenne
30.0%
Cheyenne +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,171 | $52,671 | Cheyenne + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,460 | $34,792 | Cheyenne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,800 | $69,581 | Cheyenne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.5% | Cheyenne + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 19.7% | Cheyenne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.0% | 28.9% | Cheyenne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cheyenne
$388,590
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Cheyenne
70.3%
Cheyenne +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $388,590 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 70.3% | 51.7% | Cheyenne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
222
Cheyenne +
Roanoke
240
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
1522
Cheyenne +
Roanoke
1726
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 222 | 240 | Cheyenne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1522 | 1726 | Cheyenne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
33.9%
Cheyenne +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
10.6%
Cheyenne +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cheyenne
16.2%
Cheyenne +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
12.4%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
14.2%
Cheyenne +
Roanoke
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
13.3%
Cheyenne +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 41.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.4% | Cheyenne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.7% | Cheyenne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 16.7% | Cheyenne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
46.3°F
Cheyenne +
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
16.3 in
Cheyenne +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 56.0°F | Cheyenne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 44.5 in | Cheyenne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
3.9 µg/m³
Cheyenne +
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cheyenne
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Cheyenne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cheyenne
17.8 min
Cheyenne +
Roanoke
21.6 min
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.8 min | 21.6 min | Cheyenne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cheyenne leads in median household income at $69,171, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Cheyenne is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Roanoke. Cheyenne has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Cheyenne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cheyenne scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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