New Rochelle NY 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 Rochelle, NY

New York · Population: 48,198

  • Median HH Income$48,535
  • Median Home Price$920,484
  • Unemployment9.7%
  • Bachelor's+22.8%

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 Rochelle
48,198
Roanoke
98,677
Roanoke +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Rochelle
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
New Rochelle
40.7
Roanoke
38.0
Roanoke +
Foreign Born
New Rochelle
4.6%
Roanoke
7.5%
Roanoke +
White
New Rochelle
66.1%
New Rochelle +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
New Rochelle
17.8%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
New Rochelle
2.3%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
New Rochelle
8.0%
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
Spanish at Home
New Rochelle
N/A
Roanoke
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
New Rochelle
$48,535
Roanoke
$52,671
Roanoke +
Per Capita Income
New Rochelle
$30,033
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Rochelle
$77,425
New Rochelle +
Roanoke
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
New Rochelle
9.7%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
New Rochelle
23.7%
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Rochelle
22.8%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Rochelle
$920,484
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
New Rochelle
57.5%
New Rochelle +
Roanoke
51.7%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
434
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
1736
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
26.6%
New Rochelle +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
10.6%
New Rochelle +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Rochelle
13.8%
New Rochelle +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
9.5%
New Rochelle +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
14.9%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
9.3%
New Rochelle +
Roanoke
16.7%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Rochelle
N/A
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Rochelle
N/A
Roanoke
44.5 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
8.1 µg/m³
New Rochelle +
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Rochelle
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Rochelle
20.0 min
New Rochelle +
Roanoke
21.6 min

Which City is Right for You?

Roanoke leads in median household income at $52,671, 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 434 in New Rochelle. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and New Rochelle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Rochelle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.

Compare More Cities

About New Rochelle & Roanoke