Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Glendale, AZ
VS
Roanoke, VA
🏆 Glendale leads 13 of 23 categories
Glendale
Arizona
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.6
Median Household Income
$66,375 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
129⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
248,083 ✓ Larger
Roanoke
Virginia
10
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.
Glendale, AZ
Pros
21% less violent crime than Roanoke
Households earn $14,852 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (5.7%)
Milder winters — January highs near 65°F vs 47°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $310,000
Violent crime (488.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2670.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Longer commutes — 28.3 min average each way
Roanoke, VA
Pros
Homes cost $148k less ($162,000 vs $310,000)
Rent averages $351/mo less ($917 vs $1,268)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 88°F vs 105°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.9)
More college-educated — 28.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (620.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Glendale by $14,852/yr
Property crime (4055.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.6% vs 5.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Glendale
Median Income
$14,852
$66,375 vs $51,523/yr
Glendale
Violent Crime
21% lower
488.4 vs 620.4 per 100k
Glendale
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
5.7% vs 6.6% unemployment
Glendale
Summer Heat
16.8°F warmer
July avg high 104.9°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
$148k less
$162,000 vs $310,000
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Roanoke, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 97.6 | 90.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $310,000⚠ High | $162,000 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,268 | $917 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $66,375 ✓ Higher | $51,523 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High | 20.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 11.3% ✓ Higher | 9.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 128⚠ High ✓ Safer | 175⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 129⚠ High ✓ Safer | 163⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 127⚠ High ✓ Safer | 193⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (92) | B (100) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 18.6:1 | 12.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% | 28.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 84.1% | 89.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Peoria Unified School District (4237) | Roanoke City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 65.4°F ✓ Warmer | 47.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 104.9°F ✓ Warmer | 88.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.2" ✓ Drier | 42.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.2" ✓ Less | 14.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 248,083 ✓ Larger | 99,213 |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 38.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% ✓ Higher | 52.1% |
| Under 18 | 25.3% ✓ More | 22.2% |
| Over 65 | 12.8% | 17.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Glendale'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, Glendale leads 13 of 23 categories. Glendale wins 13 and Roanoke wins 10. 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 Glendale to Roanoke or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($310,000 vs $162,000 median home), income ($66,375 vs $51,523), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Glendale, AZ and Roanoke, VA are about 1,825 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.