Roanoke VA vs Wilmington NC — 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, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Roanoke
98,677
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roanoke
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Roanoke
38.0
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Roanoke
7.5%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Roanoke
29.0%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Roanoke
8.6%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Roanoke
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.5% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 57.5% | 48.7% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 29.0% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.3% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roanoke
$52,671
Wilmington
$57,673
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Roanoke
$34,792
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Roanoke
19.7%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Roanoke
28.9%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,671 | $57,673 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,792 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $59,120 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.9% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Roanoke
51.7%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,668 | $419,326 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 398 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1999 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
41.9%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.9%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roanoke
18.4%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
11.0%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
16.7%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 17.5% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 63.8°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.5 in | 58.4 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roanoke
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 23.2 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $57,673, 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 398 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 31.9%.
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