Roanoke VA vs Wichita KS — 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%
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Roanoke
98,677
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roanoke
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Roanoke
38.0
Wichita
35.7
Wichita +
Foreign Born
Roanoke
7.5%
Wichita
10.0%
Wichita +
White
Roanoke
57.5%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Roanoke
3.1%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Roanoke
8.6%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Roanoke
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 35.7 | Wichita + |
| Foreign Born | 7.5% | 10.0% | Wichita + |
| White | 57.5% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 29.0% | 9.7% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roanoke
$52,671
Wichita
$63,072
Wichita +
Per Capita Income
Roanoke
$34,792
Wichita
$35,958
Wichita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Roanoke
19.7%
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Roanoke
28.9%
Wichita
30.9%
Wichita +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,671 | $63,072 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,792 | $35,958 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $61,860 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.7% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 15.9% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 30.9% | Wichita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roanoke
$279,668
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Roanoke
51.7%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,668 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 449 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2174 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
41.9%
Wichita
39.5%
Wichita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.9%
Wichita
12.6%
Wichita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roanoke
18.4%
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Wichita
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
16.7%
Wichita
16.3%
Wichita +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 39.5% | Wichita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.6% | Wichita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.7% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 12.9% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 15.4% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.3% | Wichita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
44.5 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 57.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.5 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roanoke
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Wichita, KS | 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
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita leads in median household income at $63,072, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Wichita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.5%.
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