New Haven CT 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)
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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
New Haven
132,893
New Haven +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Haven
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
New Haven
36.8%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
New Haven
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,893 | 98,677 | New Haven + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 38.0 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 17.7% | 7.5% | New Haven + |
| White | 36.8% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 30.6% | 29.0% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 3.1% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 31.2% | 8.6% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Haven
$53,771
New Haven +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
New Haven
$34,482
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Roanoke
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
New Haven
7.7%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
New Haven
25.0%
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,771 | $52,671 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,482 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $69,581 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 19.7% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 28.9% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Haven
$330,564
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
New Haven
28.4%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $330,564 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.4% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Roanoke
240
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
Roanoke
1726
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 240 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1726 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
37.9%
New Haven +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Haven
18.9%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.7%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Roanoke
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 41.9% | New Haven + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.9% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.7% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 16.7% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
52.2°F
New Haven +
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
47.1 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.2°F | 56.0°F | New Haven + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.1 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Haven
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Haven
23.0 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Haven leads in median household income at $53,771, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Roanoke. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Haven scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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