Miami FL 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)
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
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
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Miami
39.7
Roanoke
38.0
Roanoke +
Foreign Born
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Miami
34.2%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Miami
13.7%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Miami
1.6%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Miami
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Miami, FL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 446,663 | 98,677 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 38.0 | Roanoke + |
| Foreign Born | 57.7% | 7.5% | Miami + |
| White | 34.2% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 13.7% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 71.2% | 8.6% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami
$59,390
Miami +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami
$65,328
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Miami
5.0%
Miami +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Miami
19.2%
Miami +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami
35.6%
Miami +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Miami, FL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,390 | $52,671 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,528 | $34,792 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.5% | Miami + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 19.7% | Miami + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.6% | 28.9% | Miami + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami
$580,996
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Miami
30.7%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,996 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 30.7% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
324
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
1453
Miami +
Roanoke
1726
| Metric | Miami, FL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1726 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.5%
Roanoke
14.9%
Roanoke +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami
27.2%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.3%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami
12.3%
Miami +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Miami, FL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.9% | 41.9% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.9% | Roanoke + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 18.4% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 16.7% | Miami + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
75.8°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
64.1 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.8°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Miami, FL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami
29.9 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.9 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami leads in median household income at $59,390, 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 324 in Miami. Miami has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
Compare More Cities
Miami, FL vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Miami, FLChicago, IL vs Miami, FLHouston, TX vs Miami, FLMiami, FL vs Phoenix, AZMiami, FL vs Philadelphia, PA