Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Mesa, AZ
VS
Roanoke, VA
🏆 Mesa leads 15 of 23 categories
Mesa
Arizona
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.4
Median Household Income
$73,766 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
127⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
503,390 ✓ Larger
Roanoke
Virginia
8
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.
Mesa, AZ
Pros
Households earn $22,243 more per year on average
22% less violent crime than Roanoke
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.9 pts lower (4.7%)
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 47°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $327,700
Higher rents — median is $1,352/mo
Violent crime (482.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Hot summers — July highs average 106°F
Roanoke, VA
Pros
Homes cost $166k less ($162,000 vs $327,700)
Rent averages $435/mo less ($917 vs $1,352)
Cooler summers — July highs near 88°F vs 106°F
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.9)
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Mesa
Cons
Median income trails Mesa by $22,243/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 4.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Mesa
Median Income
$22,243
$73,766 vs $51,523/yr
Mesa
Violent Crime
22% lower
482.7 vs 620.4 per 100k
Mesa
Unemployment
1.9 pp lower
4.7% vs 6.6% unemployment
Mesa
Summer Heat
17.8°F warmer
July avg high 105.9°F vs 88.1°F
Roanoke
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 90.9 vs 98.4 (100 = US avg)
Roanoke
Median Home Value
$166k less
$162,000 vs $327,700
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Roanoke, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.4 | 90.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $327,700⚠ High | $162,000 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,352⚠ High | $917 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,766 ✓ Higher | $51,523 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.8 min | 20.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 14.6% ✓ Higher | 9.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 104⚠ High ✓ Safer | 175⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 127⚠ High ✓ Safer | 163⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 ✓ Safer | 193⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | B (100) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 18.3:1 | 12.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 30.0% ✓ Higher | 28.4% |
| High School or Higher | 90.7% ✓ Higher | 89.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Mesa Unified District (4235) | Roanoke City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 67.5°F ✓ Warmer | 47.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 105.9°F ✓ Warmer | 88.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 9.8" ✓ Drier | 42.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 14.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 503,390 ✓ Larger | 99,213 |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 38.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% ✓ Higher | 52.1% |
| Under 18 | 23.0% ✓ More | 22.2% |
| Over 65 | 16.9% | 17.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Mesa's cost of living index is 98.4 vs Roanoke's 90.9 (US average = 100).
Roanoke is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Mesa leads 15 of 23 categories. Mesa wins 15 and Roanoke wins 8. 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 Mesa to Roanoke or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($327,700 vs $162,000 median home), income ($73,766 vs $51,523), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Mesa, AZ and Roanoke, VA are about 1,801 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.