Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Austin, TX
VS
Roanoke, VA
🏆 Austin leads 14 of 23 categories
Austin
Texas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.6
Median Household Income
$86,556 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
123⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
958,202 ✓ Larger
Roanoke
Virginia
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$51,523
Violent Crime Index
163⚠ High
Population
99,213
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Austin, TX
Pros
Households earn $35,033 more per year on average
25% less violent crime than Roanoke
More college-educated — 56.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.2 pts lower (4.4%)
Milder winters — January highs near 63°F vs 47°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $461,500
Higher rents — median is $1,549/mo
Violent crime (466.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3241.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Roanoke, VA
Pros
Homes cost $300k less ($162,000 vs $461,500)
Rent averages $632/mo less ($917 vs $1,549)
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.9)
Cooler summers — July highs near 88°F vs 97°F
7% cheaper overall cost of living than Austin
Cons
Median income trails Austin by $35,033/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 4.4%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Austin
Median Income
$35,033
$86,556 vs $51,523/yr
Austin
Violent Crime
25% lower
466.9 vs 620.4 per 100k
Austin
Unemployment
2.2 pp lower
4.4% vs 6.6% unemployment
Austin
Summer Heat
8.5°F warmer
July avg high 96.6°F vs 88.1°F
Roanoke
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 90.9 vs 97.6 (100 = US avg)
Roanoke
Median Home Value
$300k less
$162,000 vs $461,500
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Roanoke, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 97.6 | 90.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $461,500⚠ High | $162,000 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,549⚠ High | $917 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $86,556 ✓ Higher | $51,523 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.1 min | 20.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 22.9% ✓ Higher | 9.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 135⚠ High ✓ Safer | 175⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 123⚠ High ✓ Safer | 163⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 154⚠ High ✓ Safer | 193⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A+ (133) ✓ Better | B (100) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.0:1 | 12.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 56.5% ✓ Higher | 28.4% |
| High School or Higher | 91.1% ✓ Higher | 89.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | AUSTIN ISD | Roanoke City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 62.5°F ✓ Warmer | 47.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 96.6°F ✓ Warmer | 88.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.2" ✓ Drier | 42.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.2" ✓ Less | 14.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 958,202 ✓ Larger | 99,213 |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 38.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 52.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 22.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 9.8% | 17.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Austin's cost of living index is 97.6 vs Roanoke's 90.9 (US average = 100).
Roanoke is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Austin leads 14 of 23 categories. Austin wins 14 and Roanoke wins 9. 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 Austin to Roanoke or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($461,500 vs $162,000 median home), income ($86,556 vs $51,523), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Austin, TX and Roanoke, VA are about 1,127 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.