Portland OR 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)
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
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
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Roanoke
38.0
Roanoke +
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Portland
5.8%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 98,677 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 38.0 | Roanoke + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 7.5% | Portland + |
| White | 70.1% | 57.5% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.8% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 3.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 8.6% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $52,671 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $34,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 19.7% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 28.9% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 51.7% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 41.9% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 14.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.4% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 11.0% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 16.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 56.0°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 in Portland. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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