Roanoke VA vs San Antonio TX — 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Roanoke
98,677
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roanoke
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Roanoke
38.0
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Foreign Born
Roanoke
7.5%
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
White
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
San Antonio
48.3%
Black
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
San Antonio
3.1%
Hispanic
Roanoke
8.6%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Roanoke
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 34.6 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 7.5% | 14.3% | San Antonio + |
| White | 57.5% | 48.3% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 29.0% | 7.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roanoke
$52,671
San Antonio
$62,917
San Antonio +
Per Capita Income
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
San Antonio
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
San Antonio
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Roanoke
19.7%
San Antonio
17.1%
San Antonio +
Bachelor's Degree+
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,671 | $62,917 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,792 | $32,983 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $63,758 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.8% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 17.1% | San Antonio + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 28.7% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roanoke
$279,668
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Homeownership Rate
Roanoke
51.7%
San Antonio
52.4%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,668 | $251,035 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 52.4% | San Antonio + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
San Antonio
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
San Antonio
2339
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 442 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2339 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
41.9%
San Antonio
34.9%
San Antonio +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.9%
Roanoke +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roanoke
18.4%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
San Antonio
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
16.7%
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 34.9% | San Antonio + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.2% | Roanoke + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 24.5% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 16.0% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.0% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
44.5 in
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 68.5°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.5 in | 34.9 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
San Antonio
55.0%
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 26.5 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Antonio leads in median household income at $62,917, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Antonio. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Antonio scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.9%.
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