Roanoke VA vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Roanoke
98,677
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roanoke
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Roanoke
38.0
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Roanoke
7.5%
Tallahassee
8.0%
Tallahassee +
White
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Roanoke
29.0%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Roanoke
3.1%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Roanoke
8.6%
Tallahassee
8.6%
Tallahassee +
Spanish at Home
Roanoke
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 7.5% | 8.0% | Tallahassee + |
| White | 57.5% | 50.7% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 29.0% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 8.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roanoke
$52,671
Tallahassee
$55,931
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Income
Roanoke
$34,792
Tallahassee
$35,704
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Tallahassee
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Roanoke
28.9%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,671 | $55,931 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,792 | $35,704 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $65,328 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 23.2% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Tallahassee
$293,664
Homeownership Rate
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,668 | $293,664 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 39.5% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Tallahassee
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
1726
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 324 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
41.9%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.9%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
16.7%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 20.3% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 13.2% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 16.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 67.6°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.5 in | 58.1 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roanoke
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roanoke
21.6 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tallahassee leads in median household income at $55,931, 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 324 in Tallahassee. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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