Roanoke VA vs San Bernardino 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%
San Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Roanoke
98,677
San Bernardino
221,774
San Bernardino +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roanoke
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
Median Age
Roanoke
38.0
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
Foreign Born
Roanoke
7.5%
San Bernardino
22.9%
San Bernardino +
White
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
San Bernardino
27.6%
Black
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
San Bernardino
11.8%
Asian
Roanoke
3.1%
San Bernardino
4.1%
San Bernardino +
Hispanic
Roanoke
8.6%
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Spanish at Home
Roanoke
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | 221,774 | San Bernardino + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 31.9 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 7.5% | 22.9% | San Bernardino + |
| White | 57.5% | 27.6% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 29.0% | 11.8% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.1% | San Bernardino + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 69.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roanoke
$52,671
San Bernardino
$63,988
San Bernardino +
Per Capita Income
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
San Bernardino
$23,980
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roanoke
$69,581
San Bernardino
$77,230
San Bernardino +
Unemployment Rate
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
San Bernardino
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Roanoke
19.7%
San Bernardino
19.5%
San Bernardino +
Bachelor's Degree+
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
San Bernardino
12.8%
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,671 | $63,988 | San Bernardino + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,792 | $23,980 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | San Bernardino + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 19.5% | San Bernardino + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 12.8% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
San Bernardino
$492,059
Homeownership Rate
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
San Bernardino
48.5%
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,668 | $492,059 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 48.5% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
San Bernardino
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
San Bernardino
2388
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | San Bernardino, 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%
San Bernardino
37.1%
San Bernardino +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.9%
San Bernardino
13.6%
San Bernardino +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
San Bernardino
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
San Bernardino
20.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
San Bernardino
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
16.7%
San Bernardino
15.1%
San Bernardino +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 37.1% | San Bernardino + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 20.0% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 20.2% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 15.2% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.1% | San Bernardino + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
56.0°F
San Bernardino
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
44.5 in
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | San Bernardino, 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
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
San Bernardino +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roanoke
75.0%
San Bernardino
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Bernardino + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
San Bernardino
30.7 min
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 30.7 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Bernardino leads in median household income at $63,988, 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 San Bernardino. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and San Bernardino has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Bernardino scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
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