Evansville IN 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)
Evansville, IN
Indiana · Population: 116,441
- Median HH Income$52,251
- Median Home Price$200,657
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
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
Evansville
116,441
Evansville +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Evansville
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Evansville
38.1
Roanoke
38.0
Roanoke +
Foreign Born
Evansville
3.9%
Roanoke
7.5%
Roanoke +
White
Evansville
77.1%
Evansville +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Evansville
13.5%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Evansville
1.1%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Evansville
4.0%
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
Spanish at Home
Evansville
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,441 | 98,677 | Evansville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 38.0 | Roanoke + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 7.5% | Roanoke + |
| White | 77.1% | 57.5% | Evansville + |
| Black | 13.5% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 1.1% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 4.0% | 8.6% | Roanoke + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Evansville
$52,251
Roanoke
$52,671
Roanoke +
Per Capita Income
Evansville
$31,236
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Evansville
$58,697
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Evansville
5.3%
Evansville +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Evansville
18.6%
Evansville +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Evansville
22.3%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,251 | $52,671 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,236 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.5% | Evansville + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 19.7% | Evansville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Evansville
$200,657
Evansville +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Evansville
53.9%
Evansville +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $200,657 | $279,668 | Evansville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 51.7% | Evansville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
370
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
1719
Evansville +
Roanoke
1726
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1726 | Evansville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
40.0%
Evansville +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
13.8%
Evansville +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Evansville
19.7%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Evansville
9.6%
Evansville +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Evansville
15.8%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Evansville
18.6%
Roanoke
16.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 41.9% | Evansville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 14.9% | Evansville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.0% | Evansville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.6% | 16.7% | Roanoke + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
60.1°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
46.8 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.1°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.8 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Evansville
10.1 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Evansville
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Evansville
20.2 min
Evansville +
Roanoke
21.6 min
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 21.6 min | Evansville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roanoke leads in median household income at $52,671, while evansville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $200,657. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Evansville. Evansville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Evansville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.0%.
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