Roanoke VA vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Roanoke
98,677
Springfield
154,751
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roanoke
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Roanoke
38.0
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Roanoke
7.5%
Springfield
10.2%
Springfield +
White
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Springfield
20.0%
Asian
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
Roanoke
8.6%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Roanoke
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | 154,751 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 7.5% | 10.2% | Springfield + |
| White | 57.5% | 40.8% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 29.0% | 20.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.8% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roanoke
$52,671
Roanoke +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roanoke
$69,581
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,671 | $51,339 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,792 | $27,054 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 8.2% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 25.3% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 19.7% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Springfield
$298,985
Homeownership Rate
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
Springfield
49.5%
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,668 | $298,985 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 49.5% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Springfield
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
1726
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 326 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
41.9%
Springfield
39.6%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.9%
Springfield
14.8%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Springfield
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
16.7%
Roanoke +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 39.6% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.8% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 21.1% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 13.7% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 15.1% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.5% | Roanoke + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
56.0°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
44.5 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Springfield, MA | 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
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roanoke
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
Springfield
22.6 min
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 22.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roanoke leads in median household income at $52,671, 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 326 in Springfield. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.
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