Roanoke VA vs Rochester NY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Roanoke
98,677
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roanoke
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Roanoke
38.0
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Roanoke
7.5%
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
White
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Roanoke
29.0%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Roanoke
3.1%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Roanoke
8.6%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Roanoke
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 7.5% | 8.3% | Rochester + |
| White | 57.5% | 41.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 29.0% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roanoke
$52,671
Roanoke +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roanoke
$69,581
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Roanoke
28.9%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,671 | $46,628 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,792 | $30,451 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.9% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 26.6% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roanoke
$279,668
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,668 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 37.2% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
Rochester
1736
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 434 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1736 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
41.9%
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.9%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
11.0%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
16.7%
Rochester
16.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 38.0% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.8% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 16.3% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.6% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
56.0°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
44.5 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.5 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roanoke
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roanoke
21.6 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roanoke leads in median household income at $52,671, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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