Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Roanoke
7.5%
Roanoke +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 98,677 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.0 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 7.5% | Roanoke + |
| White | 11.7% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 76.8% | 29.0% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 8.6% | Roanoke + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Roanoke
$52,671
Roanoke +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $52,671 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 19.7% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $279,668 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Roanoke
1726
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1726 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Roanoke
41.9%
Roanoke +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Roanoke
14.9%
Roanoke +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Roanoke
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Roanoke
16.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 41.9% | Roanoke + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 14.9% | Roanoke + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.7% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 16.7% | Roanoke + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 56.0°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 44.5 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roanoke leads in median household income at $52,671, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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