Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 98,677 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 38.0 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 7.5% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 29.0% | 29.0% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.1% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 8.6% | Roanoke + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Columbus +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $52,671 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $34,792 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.5% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 19.7% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 28.9% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $279,668 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Columbus +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 41.9% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.9% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.0% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.7% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 44.5 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Columbus. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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