Renton WA 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)
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
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
Renton
75,721
Roanoke
98,677
Roanoke +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Renton
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Renton
48.7%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Renton
2.2%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Renton
6.8%
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
Spanish at Home
Renton
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Renton, WA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,721 | 98,677 | Roanoke + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 38.0 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 44.4% | 7.5% | Renton + |
| White | 48.7% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 2.2% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 39.2% | 3.1% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 6.8% | 8.6% | Roanoke + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Roanoke
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Renton, WA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $162,099 | $52,671 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $89,026 | $34,792 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $69,581 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 5.5% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.8% | 19.7% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.7% | 28.9% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Renton
$765,686
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Renton
45.2%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,686 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Renton
383
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Renton
3409
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Renton
16.1%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Renton, WA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 41.9% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 14.9% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.4% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 11.0% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 16.7% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Renton
53.2°F
Renton +
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Renton
40.1 in
Renton +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Renton, WA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 56.0°F | Renton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.1 in | 44.5 in | Renton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Renton
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Renton, WA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Renton
25.4 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, 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 383 in Renton. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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