Gresham OR 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)
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
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
Gresham
112,818
Gresham +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gresham
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Gresham
37.2
Gresham +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Gresham
16.5%
Gresham +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Gresham
67.7%
Gresham +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Gresham
4.4%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Gresham
5.7%
Gresham +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Gresham
21.1%
Gresham +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Gresham
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 98,677 | Gresham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 38.0 | Gresham + |
| Foreign Born | 16.5% | 7.5% | Gresham + |
| White | 67.7% | 57.5% | Gresham + |
| Black | 4.4% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 3.1% | Gresham + |
| Hispanic | 21.1% | 8.6% | Gresham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gresham
$73,608
Gresham +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Gresham
$35,390
Gresham +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gresham
$63,691
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Gresham
5.3%
Gresham +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Gresham
12.7%
Gresham +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gresham
23.6%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,608 | $52,671 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,390 | $34,792 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.5% | Gresham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 19.7% | Gresham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.6% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gresham
$472,119
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Gresham
56.1%
Gresham +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,119 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.1% | 51.7% | Gresham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
355
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
3001
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
31.2%
Gresham +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.3%
Gresham +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gresham
20.4%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.0%
Roanoke
11.0%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gresham
16.2%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gresham
15.3%
Gresham +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 41.9% | Gresham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 14.9% | Gresham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.0% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.7% | Gresham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 44.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gresham
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gresham
28.8 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gresham leads in median household income at $73,608, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Gresham. Gresham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gresham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
Compare More Cities
Gresham, OR vs New York, NYGresham, OR vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Gresham, ORGresham, OR vs Houston, TXGresham, OR vs Phoenix, AZGresham, OR vs Philadelphia, PA