Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Green Bay, WI
VS
Roanoke, VA
🏆 Green Bay leads 12 of 23 categories
Green Bay
Wisconsin
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.1
Median Household Income
$59,174 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
130⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
106,846 ✓ Larger
Roanoke
Virginia
11
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.
Green Bay, WI
Pros
20% less violent crime than Roanoke
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.5 pts lower (4.1%)
Households earn $7,651 more per year on average
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.1)
Cooler summers — July highs near 80°F vs 88°F
Cons
Violent crime (495.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Snowy winters — about 56" of snow per year
Roanoke, VA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 47°F vs 25°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 Green Bay by $7,651/yr
Property crime (4055.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.6% vs 4.1%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Green Bay
Median Income
$7,651
$59,174 vs $51,523/yr
Green Bay
Violent Crime
20% lower
495.1 vs 620.4 per 100k
Green Bay
Unemployment
2.5 pp lower
4.1% vs 6.6% unemployment
Roanoke
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 90.9 vs 92.1 (100 = US avg)
Roanoke
Median Home Value
$11k less
$162,000 vs $172,700
Roanoke
Summer Heat
8.3°F warmer
July avg high 88.1°F vs 79.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Green Bay, WI | Roanoke, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.1 | 90.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $172,700 | $162,000 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $864 ✓ Lower | $917 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,174 ✓ Higher | $51,523 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.0 min ✓ Shorter | 20.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 9.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 103⚠ High ✓ Safer | 175⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 130⚠ High ✓ Safer | 163⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 62 ✓ Safer | 193⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (101) ✓ Better | B (100) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.8:1 | 12.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 25.1% | 28.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.5% | 89.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Green Bay Area Public School District | Roanoke City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 24.5°F | 47.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 79.8°F | 88.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.2" ✓ Drier | 42.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 55.6" | 14.8" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 106,846 ✓ Larger | 99,213 |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 38.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.2% ✓ Higher | 52.1% |
| Under 18 | 24.0% ✓ More | 22.2% |
| Over 65 | 13.9% | 17.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Green Bay's cost of living index is 92.1 vs Roanoke's 90.9 (US average = 100).
Roanoke is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Green Bay leads 12 of 23 categories. Green Bay 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 Green Bay to Roanoke or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($172,700 vs $162,000 median home), income ($59,174 vs $51,523), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Green Bay, WI and Roanoke, VA are about 652 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.