Orem UT 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)
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
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
Orem
86,973
Roanoke
98,677
Roanoke +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Orem
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Orem
10.5%
Orem +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Orem
1.9%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Orem
1.6%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Orem
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Orem, UT | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 86,973 | 98,677 | Roanoke + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 38.0 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 7.5% | Orem + |
| White | 77.1% | 57.5% | Orem + |
| Black | 1.9% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Orem
$33,579
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Orem
$60,713
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Orem
25.6%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Orem, UT | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,053 | $52,671 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 5.5% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 19.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.6% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Orem
$509,396
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Orem, UT | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $509,396 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.9% | 51.7% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Orem
245
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Orem
1931
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Orem, UT | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Orem
11.5%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Roanoke
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Orem, UT | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 41.9% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 14.9% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 18.4% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 14.7% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 16.7% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Orem
52.5°F
Orem +
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Orem, UT | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 56.0°F | Orem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.3 in | 44.5 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Orem
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Orem, UT | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Orem
24.5 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Orem, UT | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, 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 245 in Orem. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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