Philadelphia PA 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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 98,677 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.0 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 7.5% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 36.1% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 39.9% | 29.0% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 3.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 8.6% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $52,671 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $34,792 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 19.7% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 28.9% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $279,668 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 51.7% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
Roanoke
1726
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1726 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Roanoke
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Philadelphia. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
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