Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Carrollton, TX
VS
Roanoke, VA
🏆 Carrollton leads 16 of 23 categories
Carrollton
Texas
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$95,380 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
36 ✓ Safer
Population
132,284 ✓ Larger
Roanoke
Virginia
7
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.
Carrollton, TX
Pros
Households earn $43,857 more per year on average
78% less violent crime than Roanoke
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.9 pts lower (3.7%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (137.1 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 42.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 47°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $327,300
Higher rents — median is $1,555/mo
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Roanoke
Roanoke, VA
Pros
Homes cost $165k less ($162,000 vs $327,300)
Rent averages $638/mo less ($917 vs $1,555)
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Carrollton
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.9)
Cooler summers — July highs near 88°F vs 94°F
Cons
Median income trails Carrollton by $43,857/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 3.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Carrollton
Median Income
$43,857
$95,380 vs $51,523/yr
Carrollton
Violent Crime
78% lower
137.1 vs 620.4 per 100k
Carrollton
Unemployment
2.9 pp lower
3.7% vs 6.6% unemployment
Carrollton
Summer Heat
6.2°F warmer
July avg high 94.3°F vs 88.1°F
Roanoke
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 90.9 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Roanoke
Median Home Value
$165k less
$162,000 vs $327,300
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Roanoke, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 90.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $327,300⚠ High | $162,000 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,555⚠ High | $917 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $95,380 ✓ Higher | $51,523 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.4 min | 20.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 17.8% ✓ Higher | 9.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 47 ✓ Safer | 175⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 36 ✓ Safer | 163⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 63 ✓ Safer | 193⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | B (100) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.5:1 | 12.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.1% ✓ Higher | 28.4% |
| High School or Higher | 89.4% ✓ Higher | 89.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | CARROLLTON-FARMERS BRANCH ISD | Roanoke City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.9°F ✓ Warmer | 47.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.3°F ✓ Warmer | 88.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.8" ✓ Drier | 42.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 14.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 132,284 ✓ Larger | 99,213 |
| Median Age | 38.6 ✓ Older | 38.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% ✓ Higher | 52.1% |
| Under 18 | 19.9% | 22.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.9% | 17.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Carrollton's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Roanoke's 90.9 (US average = 100).
Roanoke is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Carrollton leads 16 of 23 categories. Carrollton wins 16 and Roanoke wins 7. 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 Carrollton to Roanoke or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($327,300 vs $162,000 median home), income ($95,380 vs $51,523), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Carrollton, TX and Roanoke, VA are about 1,000 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.