Phoenix AZ 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)
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
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
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Phoenix
53.7%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 98,677 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 38.0 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 7.5% | Phoenix + |
| White | 53.7% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 7.8% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 3.1% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 8.6% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $52,671 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $34,792 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.5% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 19.7% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 28.9% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 51.7% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 41.9% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 14.9% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.4% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.7% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.8 in | 44.5 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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