Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Atlanta, GA
VS
Roanoke, VA
🏆 Atlanta leads 12 of 23 categories
Atlanta
Georgia
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$77,655 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
221⚠ High
Population
494,838 ✓ Larger
Roanoke
Virginia
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$51,523
Violent Crime Index
163⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
99,213
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Atlanta, GA
Pros
Households earn $26,132 more per year on average
More college-educated — 57.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.8 pts lower (5.8%)
Milder winters — January highs near 54°F vs 47°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $395,600
Higher rents — median is $1,512/mo
Violent crime (840.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3748.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Roanoke, VA
Pros
Homes cost $234k less ($162,000 vs $395,600)
Rent averages $595/mo less ($917 vs $1,512)
26% less violent crime than Atlanta
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Atlanta
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.9)
Cons
Median income trails Atlanta by $26,132/yr
Violent crime (620.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4055.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.6% vs 5.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Atlanta
Median Income
$26,132
$77,655 vs $51,523/yr
Atlanta
Unemployment
0.8 pp lower
5.8% vs 6.6% unemployment
Roanoke
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 90.9 vs 100.9 (100 = US avg)
Roanoke
Violent Crime
26% lower
620.4 vs 840.6 per 100k
Roanoke
Median Home Value
$234k less
$162,000 vs $395,600
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Roanoke, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.9⚠ High | 90.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $395,600⚠ High | $162,000 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,512⚠ High | $917 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $77,655 ✓ Higher | $51,523 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.5 min | 20.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 9.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 204⚠ High | 175⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 221⚠ High | 163⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 178⚠ High ✓ Safer | 193⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (120) ✓ Better | B (100) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 12.2:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 57.3% ✓ Higher | 28.4% |
| High School or Higher | 92.9% ✓ Higher | 89.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Atlanta Public Schools | Roanoke City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 53.7°F ✓ Warmer | 47.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 90.0°F ✓ Warmer | 88.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 51.8" | 42.8" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.5" ✓ Less | 14.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 494,838 ✓ Larger | 99,213 |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 38.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 52.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 17.2% | 22.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.0% | 17.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Atlanta's cost of living index is 100.9 vs Roanoke's 90.9 (US average = 100).
Roanoke is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Atlanta leads 12 of 23 categories. Atlanta wins 12 and Roanoke wins 11. 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 Atlanta to Roanoke or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($395,600 vs $162,000 median home), income ($77,655 vs $51,523), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Atlanta, GA and Roanoke, VA are about 349 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.