Roanoke VA vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Roanoke
98,677
Westminster
115,546
Westminster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roanoke
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Roanoke
38.0
Westminster
37.5
Westminster +
Foreign Born
Roanoke
7.5%
Westminster
8.2%
Westminster +
White
Roanoke
57.5%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Roanoke
3.1%
Westminster
4.7%
Westminster +
Hispanic
Roanoke
8.6%
Westminster
23.7%
Westminster +
Spanish at Home
Roanoke
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | 115,546 | Westminster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 37.5 | Westminster + |
| Foreign Born | 7.5% | 8.2% | Westminster + |
| White | 57.5% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 29.0% | 1.2% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.7% | Westminster + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 23.7% | Westminster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roanoke
$52,671
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Roanoke
$34,792
Westminster
$51,982
Westminster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roanoke
$69,581
Westminster
$76,653
Westminster +
Unemployment Rate
Roanoke
5.5%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Roanoke
19.7%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Roanoke
28.9%
Westminster
44.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,671 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,792 | $51,982 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $76,653 | Westminster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 44.0% | Westminster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Westminster
$528,447
Homeownership Rate
Roanoke
51.7%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,668 | $528,447 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 512 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 3234 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
41.9%
Westminster
27.7%
Westminster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.9%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roanoke
18.4%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Westminster
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
16.7%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 27.7% | Westminster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.1% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 18.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
56.0°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
44.5 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Westminster, CO | 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roanoke
75.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 28.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, 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 512 in Westminster. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westminster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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