Cleveland OH 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Roanoke
7.5%
Roanoke +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 98,677 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 38.0 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 7.5% | Roanoke + |
| White | 36.7% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 46.8% | 29.0% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 8.6% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Roanoke
$52,671
Roanoke +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $52,671 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 19.7% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $279,668 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Roanoke
41.9%
Roanoke +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Roanoke
14.9%
Roanoke +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Roanoke
16.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 41.9% | Roanoke + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.9% | Roanoke + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 16.7% | Roanoke + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 56.0°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 44.5 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roanoke leads in median household income at $52,671, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Cleveland. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roanoke scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.9%.
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