Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Kent, WA
VS
Roanoke, VA
🏆 Roanoke leads 13 of 23 categories
Kent
Washington
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$86,966 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
129⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
135,169 ✓ Larger
Roanoke
Virginia
13
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.
Kent, WA
Pros
Households earn $35,443 more per year on average
21% less violent crime than Roanoke
Cooler summers — July highs near 78°F vs 88°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $478,400
Higher rents — median is $1,742/mo
Violent crime (489.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 22% higher than Roanoke
Roanoke, VA
Pros
Homes cost $316k less ($162,000 vs $478,400)
Rent averages $825/mo less ($917 vs $1,742)
22% cheaper overall cost of living than Kent
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (6.6%)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.9)
Cons
Median income trails Kent by $35,443/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
Kent
Median Income
$35,443
$86,966 vs $51,523/yr
Kent
Violent Crime
21% lower
489.7 vs 620.4 per 100k
Roanoke
Cost of Living
22% cheaper
COL index 90.9 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Roanoke
Median Home Value
$316k less
$162,000 vs $478,400
Roanoke
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
6.6% vs 7.6% unemployment
Roanoke
Summer Heat
9.8°F warmer
July avg high 88.1°F vs 78.3°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Kent, WA | Roanoke, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 113.0⚠ High | 90.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $478,400⚠ High | $162,000 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,742⚠ High | $917 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $86,966 ✓ Higher | $51,523 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6%⚠ High | 6.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 30.5 min⚠ High | 20.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.1% ✓ Higher | 9.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 149⚠ 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 | 180⚠ High ✓ Safer | 193⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | B (100) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 18.0:1 | 12.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 27.9% | 28.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.1% | 89.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Kent School District | Roanoke City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.4°F ✓ Warmer | 47.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 78.3°F | 88.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 44.7" | 42.8" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 6.3" ✓ Less | 14.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 135,169 ✓ Larger | 99,213 |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 38.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% ✓ Higher | 52.1% |
| Under 18 | 24.6% ✓ More | 22.2% |
| Over 65 | 10.8% | 17.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Kent's cost of living index is 113.0 vs Roanoke's 90.9 (US average = 100).
Roanoke is 22% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Roanoke leads 13 of 23 categories. Kent wins 10 and Roanoke wins 13. 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 Kent to Roanoke or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($478,400 vs $162,000 median home), income ($86,966 vs $51,523), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Kent, WA and Roanoke, VA are about 2,237 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.