Roanoke VA vs Yonkers NY — 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%
Yonkers, NY
New York · Population: 209,529
- Median HH Income$81,816
- Median Home Price$685,544
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+35.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Roanoke
98,677
Yonkers
209,529
Yonkers +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roanoke
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
Median Age
Roanoke
38.0
Roanoke +
Yonkers
39.0
Foreign Born
Roanoke
7.5%
Yonkers
32.6%
Yonkers +
White
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Yonkers
38.0%
Black
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Yonkers
17.3%
Asian
Roanoke
3.1%
Yonkers
5.1%
Yonkers +
Hispanic
Roanoke
8.6%
Yonkers
44.4%
Yonkers +
Spanish at Home
Roanoke
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | 209,529 | Yonkers + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 39.0 | Roanoke + |
| Foreign Born | 7.5% | 32.6% | Yonkers + |
| White | 57.5% | 38.0% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 29.0% | 17.3% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 5.1% | Yonkers + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 44.4% | Yonkers + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roanoke
$52,671
Yonkers
$81,816
Yonkers +
Per Capita Income
Roanoke
$34,792
Yonkers
$42,770
Yonkers +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roanoke
$69,581
Yonkers
$77,425
Yonkers +
Unemployment Rate
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Yonkers
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Roanoke
19.7%
Yonkers
14.7%
Yonkers +
Bachelor's Degree+
Roanoke
28.9%
Yonkers
35.2%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,671 | $81,816 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,792 | $42,770 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,425 | Yonkers + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.4% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 14.7% | Yonkers + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 35.2% | Yonkers + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Yonkers
$685,544
Homeownership Rate
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
Yonkers
47.2%
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,668 | $685,544 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 47.2% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Yonkers
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
Yonkers
1736
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 434 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1736 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
41.9%
Yonkers
29.3%
Yonkers +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.9%
Yonkers
12.4%
Yonkers +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roanoke
18.4%
Yonkers
15.2%
Yonkers +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Yonkers
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.7%
Yonkers
14.3%
Yonkers +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
16.7%
Yonkers
11.9%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 29.3% | Yonkers + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.4% | Yonkers + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 15.2% | Yonkers + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 12.7% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 14.3% | Yonkers + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.9% | Yonkers + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
56.0°F
Yonkers
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
44.5 in
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Yonkers, NY | 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
Yonkers
8.1 µg/m³
Yonkers +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roanoke
75.0%
Yonkers
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Yonkers + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
Yonkers
37.5 min
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 37.5 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Yonkers leads in median household income at $81,816, 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 434 in Yonkers. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Yonkers has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Yonkers scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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