Roanoke VA vs Roseville CA — 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%
Roseville, CA
California · Population: 50,340
- Median HH Income$72,248
- Median Home Price$650,823
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+21.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Roanoke
98,677
Roanoke +
Roseville
50,340
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roanoke
N/A
Roseville
N/A
Median Age
Roanoke
38.0
Roanoke +
Roseville
44.5
Foreign Born
Roanoke
7.5%
Roseville
58.6%
Roseville +
White
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Roseville
7.8%
Black
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Roseville
0.6%
Asian
Roanoke
3.1%
Roseville
64.9%
Roseville +
Hispanic
Roanoke
8.6%
Roseville
29.4%
Roseville +
Spanish at Home
Roanoke
N/A
Roseville
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | 50,340 | Roanoke + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 44.5 | Roanoke + |
| Foreign Born | 7.5% | 58.6% | Roseville + |
| White | 57.5% | 7.8% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 29.0% | 0.6% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 64.9% | Roseville + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 29.4% | Roseville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roanoke
$52,671
Roseville
$72,248
Roseville +
Per Capita Income
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Roseville
$27,237
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roanoke
$69,581
Roseville
$77,230
Roseville +
Unemployment Rate
Roanoke
5.5%
Roseville
5.0%
Roseville +
Poverty Rate
Roanoke
19.7%
Roseville
14.1%
Roseville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
Roseville
21.9%
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,671 | $72,248 | Roseville + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,792 | $27,237 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Roseville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.0% | Roseville + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 14.1% | Roseville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 21.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Roseville
$650,823
Homeownership Rate
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
Roseville
48.2%
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,668 | $650,823 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 48.2% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Roseville
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
Roseville
2388
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 503 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2388 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
41.9%
Roseville
27.2%
Roseville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.9%
Roseville
9.4%
Roseville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roanoke
18.4%
Roseville
15.8%
Roseville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
11.0%
Roseville
5.6%
Roseville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Roseville
16.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
16.7%
Roseville
9.5%
Roseville +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 27.2% | Roseville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 9.4% | Roseville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 15.8% | Roseville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 5.6% | Roseville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 16.6% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 9.5% | Roseville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roseville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roseville
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roseville
7.9 µg/m³
Roseville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roanoke
75.0%
Roseville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Roseville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
Roseville
30.5 min
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 30.5 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roseville leads in median household income at $72,248, 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 503 in Roseville. Roseville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Roseville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roseville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Roanoke, VALos Angeles, CA vs Roanoke, VAChicago, IL vs Roanoke, VAHouston, TX vs Roanoke, VAPhoenix, AZ vs Roanoke, VAPhiladelphia, PA vs Roanoke, VA