Roanoke VA vs West Palm Beach 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Roanoke
98,677
West Palm Beach
119,508
West Palm Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roanoke
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Roanoke
38.0
Roanoke +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Roanoke
7.5%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Roanoke
29.0%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Roanoke
8.6%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Roanoke
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | 119,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 40.2 | Roanoke + |
| Foreign Born | 7.5% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 57.5% | 44.0% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 29.0% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.5% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roanoke
$52,671
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Roanoke
$34,792
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Roanoke
5.5%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Roanoke
19.7%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Roanoke
28.9%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,671 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,792 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $65,328 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,668 | $399,650 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 50.2% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
West Palm Beach
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
1726
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 324 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
41.9%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.9%
West Palm Beach
13.7%
West Palm Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roanoke
18.4%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.7%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
16.7%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.7% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 16.9% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 75.4°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.5 in | 62.3 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roanoke
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 25.0 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, 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 West Palm Beach. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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