Roanoke VA vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Roanoke
98,677
Roanoke +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roanoke
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Roanoke
38.0
Wilmington
37.0
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Roanoke
7.5%
Wilmington
8.3%
Wilmington +
White
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Roanoke
29.0%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Roanoke
8.6%
Wilmington
11.8%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Roanoke
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | 71,124 | Roanoke + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 37.0 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.5% | 8.3% | Wilmington + |
| White | 57.5% | 32.4% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 29.0% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 1.6% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 11.8% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roanoke
$52,671
Wilmington
$55,269
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Roanoke
$34,792
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Wilmington
$64,087
Unemployment Rate
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Roanoke
28.9%
Wilmington
33.1%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,671 | $55,269 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,792 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $64,087 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.6% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 23.2% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 33.1% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,668 | $327,117 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 46.0% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Wilmington
394
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
Wilmington
1991
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 394 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1991 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
41.9%
Wilmington
41.0%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.9%
Roanoke +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roanoke
18.4%
Wilmington
18.4%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.7%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
16.7%
Wilmington
16.4%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 41.0% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.0% | Roanoke + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.4% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 12.7% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.4% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
56.0°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.5 in | 49.3 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roanoke
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 25.0 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $55,269, 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 394 in Wilmington. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.0%.
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