Roanoke VA vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Roanoke
98,677
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roanoke
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Roanoke
38.0
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Roanoke
7.5%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Syracuse
27.6%
Asian
Roanoke
3.1%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Roanoke
8.6%
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Spanish at Home
Roanoke
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 7.5% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 57.5% | 51.9% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 29.0% | 27.6% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 10.3% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roanoke
$52,671
Roanoke +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roanoke
$69,581
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Roanoke
28.9%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,671 | $45,845 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,792 | $27,570 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.4% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 29.6% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roanoke
$279,668
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,668 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 41.3% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
Syracuse
1736
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 434 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1736 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
41.9%
Syracuse
41.5%
Syracuse +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.9%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
11.0%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
16.7%
Syracuse
16.1%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 41.5% | Syracuse + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 20.8% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 15.3% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.1% | Syracuse + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
56.0°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
44.5 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.5 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roanoke
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roanoke
21.6 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roanoke leads in median household income at $52,671, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Syracuse scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.5%.
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