Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Arden-Arcade, CA
VS
Roanoke, VA
🏆 Roanoke leads 12 of 23 categories
Arden-Arcade
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$64,479 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
136⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
96,076
Roanoke
Virginia
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$51,523
Violent Crime Index
163⚠ High
Population
99,213 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Arden-Arcade, CA
Pros
16% less violent crime than Roanoke
Households earn $12,956 more per year on average
More college-educated — 36.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 47°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $466,300
Higher rents — median is $1,385/mo
Violent crime (518.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 18% higher than Roanoke
Roanoke, VA
Pros
Homes cost $304k less ($162,000 vs $466,300)
Rent averages $468/mo less ($917 vs $1,385)
18% cheaper overall cost of living than Arden-Arcade
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (6.6%)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.9)
Cons
Violent crime (620.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Arden-Arcade by $12,956/yr
Property crime (4055.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Arden-Arcade
Median Income
$12,956
$64,479 vs $51,523/yr
Arden-Arcade
Violent Crime
16% lower
518.1 vs 620.4 per 100k
Arden-Arcade
Summer Heat
6.3°F warmer
July avg high 94.4°F vs 88.1°F
Roanoke
Cost of Living
18% cheaper
COL index 90.9 vs 108.9 (100 = US avg)
Roanoke
Median Home Value
$304k less
$162,000 vs $466,300
Roanoke
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
6.6% vs 8.1% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Arden-Arcade, CA | Roanoke, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 108.9⚠ High | 90.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $466,300⚠ High | $162,000 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,385⚠ High | $917 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,479 ✓ Higher | $51,523 |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1%⚠ High | 6.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.4 min | 20.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.9% ✓ Higher | 9.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 119⚠ High ✓ Safer | 175⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 136⚠ High ✓ Safer | 163⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 92 ✓ Safer | 193⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | B (100) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 22.6:1 | 12.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 36.3% ✓ Higher | 28.4% |
| High School or Higher | 88.9% | 89.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | San Juan Unified | Roanoke City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.5°F ✓ Warmer | 47.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.4°F ✓ Warmer | 88.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 21.5" ✓ Drier | 42.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 14.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 96,076 | 99,213 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 38.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.9% | 52.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.8% ✓ More | 22.2% |
| Over 65 | 16.6% | 17.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Arden-Arcade's cost of living index is 108.9 vs Roanoke's 90.9 (US average = 100).
Roanoke is 18% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Roanoke leads 12 of 23 categories. Arden-Arcade wins 11 and Roanoke wins 12. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Arden-Arcade to Roanoke or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($466,300 vs $162,000 median home), income ($64,479 vs $51,523), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Arden-Arcade, CA and Roanoke, VA are about 2,240 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.