Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Compton, CA
VS
Roanoke, VA
🏆 Roanoke leads 16 of 23 categories
Compton
California
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$69,728 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
335⚠ High
Population
94,822
Roanoke
Virginia
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$51,523
Violent Crime Index
163⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
99,213 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Compton, CA
Pros
Households earn $18,205 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 67°F vs 47°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 88°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $489,400
Higher rents — median is $1,464/mo
Violent crime (1271.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 25% higher than Roanoke
Roanoke, VA
Pros
Homes cost $327k less ($162,000 vs $489,400)
Rent averages $547/mo less ($917 vs $1,464)
51% less violent crime than Compton
25% cheaper overall cost of living than Compton
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.3 pts lower (6.6%)
Cons
Median income trails Compton by $18,205/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
Key Differences at a Glance
Compton
Median Income
$18,205
$69,728 vs $51,523/yr
Roanoke
Cost of Living
25% cheaper
COL index 90.9 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Roanoke
Violent Crime
51% lower
620.4 vs 1271.7 per 100k
Roanoke
Median Home Value
$327k less
$162,000 vs $489,400
Roanoke
Unemployment
1.3 pp lower
6.6% vs 7.9% unemployment
Roanoke
Summer Heat
10.9°F warmer
July avg high 88.1°F vs 77.2°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Compton, CA | Roanoke, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 115.5⚠ High | 90.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $489,400⚠ High | $162,000 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,464⚠ High | $917 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $69,728 ✓ Higher | $51,523 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9%⚠ High | 6.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 30.8 min⚠ High | 20.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 3.3% | 9.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 261⚠ High | 175⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 335⚠ High | 163⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 150⚠ High ✓ Safer | 193⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (77) | B (100) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 24.0:1 | 12.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 10.4% | 28.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 63.8% | 89.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Compton Unified | Roanoke City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 67.3°F ✓ Warmer | 47.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 77.2°F | 88.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.8" ✓ Drier | 42.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 14.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 94,822 | 99,213 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 38.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.4% ✓ Higher | 52.1% |
| Under 18 | 27.9% ✓ More | 22.2% |
| Over 65 | 10.4% | 17.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Compton's cost of living index is 115.5 vs Roanoke's 90.9 (US average = 100).
Roanoke is 25% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Roanoke leads 16 of 23 categories. Compton wins 7 and Roanoke wins 16. 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 Compton to Roanoke or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($489,400 vs $162,000 median home), income ($69,728 vs $51,523), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Compton, CA and Roanoke, VA are about 2,148 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.