Roanoke VA vs Santa Clarita 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%
Santa Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Roanoke
98,677
Santa Clarita
229,021
Santa Clarita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roanoke
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
Roanoke
38.0
Roanoke +
Santa Clarita
38.1
Foreign Born
Roanoke
7.5%
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Santa Clarita +
White
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Black
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Asian
Roanoke
3.1%
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Hispanic
Roanoke
8.6%
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Spanish at Home
Roanoke
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | 229,021 | Santa Clarita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 38.1 | Roanoke + |
| Foreign Born | 7.5% | 21.6% | Santa Clarita + |
| White | 57.5% | 53.1% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 29.0% | 4.4% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 11.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 36.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roanoke
$52,671
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
Roanoke
$34,792
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roanoke
$69,581
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Unemployment Rate
Roanoke
5.5%
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Santa Clarita +
Poverty Rate
Roanoke
19.7%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Roanoke
28.9%
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,671 | $119,926 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,792 | $49,571 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.3% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 7.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 39.3% | Santa Clarita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Homeownership Rate
Roanoke
51.7%
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,668 | $802,780 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 72.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Santa Clarita
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
Santa Clarita
2388
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Santa Clarita, 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%
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.9%
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roanoke
18.4%
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
11.0%
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
16.7%
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 24.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 9.8% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 8.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 16.9% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 9.9% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
56.0°F
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
44.5 in
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Santa Clarita, 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
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Clarita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roanoke
75.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Clarita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 37.4 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, 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 Santa Clarita. Santa Clarita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Santa Clarita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
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