Roanoke VA vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Roanoke
98,677
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roanoke
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Roanoke
38.0
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
Roanoke
7.5%
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Virginia Beach +
White
Roanoke
57.5%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
Roanoke
3.1%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Roanoke
8.6%
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Virginia Beach +
Spanish at Home
Roanoke
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 7.5% | 9.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| White | 57.5% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 29.0% | 18.9% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 8.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roanoke
$52,671
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Roanoke
$34,792
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roanoke
$69,581
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Roanoke
5.5%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Roanoke
19.7%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Roanoke
28.9%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,671 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,792 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $69,581 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Roanoke
51.7%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,668 | $427,121 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
240
Virginia Beach
240
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
1726
Virginia Beach
1726
Tie
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 240 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1726 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
41.9%
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Virginia Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.9%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roanoke
18.4%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
11.0%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
16.7%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 36.5% | Virginia Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 15.6% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
56.0°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
44.5 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roanoke
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 25.0 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Roanoke. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Virginia Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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