Roanoke VA vs Vancouver WA — 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Roanoke
98,677
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roanoke
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Roanoke
38.0
Vancouver
37.5
Vancouver +
Foreign Born
Roanoke
7.5%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
Roanoke
57.5%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Roanoke
3.1%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Roanoke
8.6%
Vancouver
17.2%
Vancouver +
Spanish at Home
Roanoke
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | 192,696 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 37.5 | Vancouver + |
| Foreign Born | 7.5% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 57.5% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 29.0% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 17.2% | Vancouver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roanoke
$52,671
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Roanoke
$34,792
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roanoke
$69,581
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Vancouver
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Roanoke
19.7%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Roanoke
28.9%
Vancouver
31.5%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,671 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,792 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.6% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 31.5% | Vancouver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,668 | $510,577 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 49.9% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Vancouver
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 383 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 3409 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
41.9%
Vancouver
36.2%
Vancouver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.9%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
11.0%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Vancouver
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
16.7%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 36.2% | Vancouver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.1% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 16.3% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
56.0°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
44.5 in
Vancouver
41.6 in
Vancouver +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.5 in | 41.6 in | Vancouver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roanoke
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 25.1 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, 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 383 in Vancouver. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vancouver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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