Roanoke VA vs Salinas 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Roanoke
98,677
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roanoke
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Roanoke
38.0
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Roanoke
7.5%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Roanoke
3.1%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Roanoke
8.6%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Roanoke
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 7.5% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 57.5% | 21.8% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 29.0% | 1.4% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roanoke
$52,671
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roanoke
$69,581
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Roanoke
5.5%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Roanoke
19.7%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,671 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,792 | $28,813 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 15.5% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,668 | $751,711 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 47.0% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Salinas, 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%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.9%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roanoke
18.4%
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
16.7%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.2% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 22.4% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 16.8% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
44.5 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 57.3°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.5 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roanoke
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 28.8 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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