Roanoke VA vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Roanoke
98,677
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roanoke
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Roanoke
38.0
Roanoke +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Roanoke
7.5%
Roanoke +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Roanoke
57.5%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Roanoke
8.6%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Roanoke
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 41.6 | Roanoke + |
| Foreign Born | 7.5% | 6.8% | Roanoke + |
| White | 57.5% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 29.0% | 4.8% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.6% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roanoke
$52,671
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Roanoke
$34,792
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Roanoke
5.5%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Roanoke
19.7%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Roanoke
28.9%
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,671 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,792 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $59,120 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 31.0% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Roanoke
51.7%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,668 | $422,520 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 450 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2150 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
41.9%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.9%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roanoke
18.4%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
11.0%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Surprise
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
16.7%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 14.9% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
56.0°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
44.5 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roanoke
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 32.8 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, 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 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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