Roanoke VA vs San Jose 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 Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Roanoke
98,677
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roanoke
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Roanoke
38.0
Roanoke +
San Jose
38.1
Foreign Born
Roanoke
7.5%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Roanoke
3.1%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Roanoke
8.6%
San Jose
30.9%
San Jose +
Spanish at Home
Roanoke
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | 990,054 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 38.1 | Roanoke + |
| Foreign Born | 7.5% | 41.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 57.5% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 29.0% | 2.9% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 30.9% | San Jose + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roanoke
$52,671
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Roanoke
$34,792
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roanoke
$69,581
San Jose
$77,230
San Jose +
Unemployment Rate
Roanoke
5.5%
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Poverty Rate
Roanoke
19.7%
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Bachelor's Degree+
Roanoke
28.9%
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,671 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,792 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | San Jose + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.7% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 7.8% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 46.5% | San Jose + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Roanoke
51.7%
San Jose
56.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,668 | $1,452,609 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 56.0% | San Jose + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
San Jose
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
San Jose
2388
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | San Jose, 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 Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.9%
San Jose
11.1%
San Jose +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roanoke
18.4%
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
11.0%
San Jose
9.1%
San Jose +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.7%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
16.7%
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 23.7% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.1% | San Jose + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 14.9% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 9.1% | San Jose + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 9.4% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
San Jose
61.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
44.5 in
San Jose
14.9 in
San Jose +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 61.5°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.5 in | 14.9 in | San Jose + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
San Jose +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roanoke
75.0%
San Jose
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Jose + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
San Jose
30.4 min
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 30.4 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, 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 Jose. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and San Jose has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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