Roanoke VA vs St. Louis MO — 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Roanoke
98,677
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roanoke
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Roanoke
38.0
St. Louis
36.6
St. Louis +
Foreign Born
Roanoke
7.5%
Roanoke +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Roanoke
29.0%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Roanoke
3.1%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Roanoke
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 36.6 | St. Louis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.5% | 6.6% | Roanoke + |
| White | 57.5% | 45.7% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 29.0% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 5.1% | Roanoke + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roanoke
$52,671
St. Louis
$55,279
St. Louis +
Per Capita Income
Roanoke
$34,792
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Roanoke
5.5%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Roanoke
28.9%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,671 | $55,279 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,792 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $58,527 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 19.8% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roanoke
$279,668
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,668 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 45.4% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 501 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2418 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
41.9%
St. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.9%
St. Louis
13.2%
St. Louis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
11.0%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
16.7%
Roanoke +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 36.8% | St. Louis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.2% | St. Louis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.8% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 17.9% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.8% | Roanoke + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
56.0°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
44.5 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | St. Louis, MO | 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
Roanoke +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 24.0 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Louis leads in median household income at $55,279, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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