Roanoke VA vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Roanoke
98,677
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roanoke
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Roanoke
38.0
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Roanoke
7.5%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Roanoke
57.5%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Roanoke
3.1%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Roanoke
8.6%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Roanoke
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 7.5% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 57.5% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 29.0% | 5.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roanoke
$52,671
Tucson
$54,546
Tucson +
Per Capita Income
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Roanoke
19.7%
Tucson
18.8%
Tucson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Roanoke
28.9%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,671 | $54,546 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,792 | $31,152 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $59,120 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.4% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 18.8% | Tucson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,668 | $324,946 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Tucson, 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%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.9%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roanoke
18.4%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.7%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
16.7%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 15.7% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
44.5 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 69.8°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.5 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roanoke
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 23.9 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tucson leads in median household income at $54,546, 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 Tucson. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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