Roanoke VA vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Roanoke
98,677
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roanoke
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Roanoke
38.0
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Roanoke
7.5%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Roanoke
57.5%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Roanoke
3.1%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Roanoke
8.6%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Roanoke
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 7.5% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 57.5% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 29.0% | 2.7% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roanoke
$52,671
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Roanoke
$34,792
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Roanoke
5.5%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Roanoke
19.7%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Roanoke
28.9%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,671 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,792 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $60,713 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,668 | $580,126 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 46.8% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Salt Lake City
245
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
Salt Lake City
1931
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 245 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1931 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
41.9%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.9%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roanoke
18.4%
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Salt Lake City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
16.7%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.2% | Salt Lake City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 12.3% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 16.0% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
56.0°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
44.5 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.5 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roanoke
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roanoke
21.6 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, 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 245 in Salt Lake City. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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