Plano TX 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)
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
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
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Plano
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Plano
39.3
Roanoke
38.0
Roanoke +
Foreign Born
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Plano
53.2%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Plano
9.0%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Plano
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Plano, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 287,339 | 98,677 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 38.0 | Roanoke + |
| Foreign Born | 28.7% | 7.5% | Plano + |
| White | 53.2% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 9.0% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 3.1% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 16.2% | 8.6% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Plano
$63,758
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,649 | $52,671 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,753 | $34,792 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 5.5% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 19.7% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 28.9% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Plano
$507,575
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $507,575 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 51.7% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
442
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
2339
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Plano
16.4%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 41.9% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 14.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.0% | 18.4% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.0% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 16.7% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Plano, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 44.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Plano
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Plano
27.6 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.6 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, 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 442 in Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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