Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Roanoke
7.5%
Roanoke +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 98,677 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 38.0 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 7.5% | Roanoke + |
| White | 25.0% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 62.9% | 29.0% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 8.6% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Roanoke
$52,671
Roanoke +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $52,671 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 19.7% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $279,668 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Roanoke
41.9%
Roanoke +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Roanoke
14.9%
Roanoke +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Roanoke
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Roanoke
16.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 41.9% | Roanoke + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.9% | Roanoke + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.7% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 16.7% | Roanoke + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roanoke leads in median household income at $52,671, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. 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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