Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Phoenix, AZ
VS
Roanoke, VA
🏆 Phoenix leads 13 of 23 categories
Phoenix
Arizona
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.4
Median Household Income
$72,092 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
210⚠ High
Population
1,609,456 ✓ Larger
Roanoke
Virginia
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$51,523
Violent Crime Index
163⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
99,213
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Phoenix, AZ
Pros
Households earn $20,569 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.4 pts lower (5.2%)
Milder winters — January highs near 65°F vs 47°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $340,200
Violent crime (799.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Hot summers — July highs average 104°F
Cost of living runs 8% higher than Roanoke
Roanoke, VA
Pros
Homes cost $178k less ($162,000 vs $340,200)
Rent averages $405/mo less ($917 vs $1,322)
22% less violent crime than Phoenix
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 88°F vs 104°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.9)
Cons
Median income trails Phoenix by $20,569/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 5.2%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Phoenix
Median Income
$20,569
$72,092 vs $51,523/yr
Phoenix
Unemployment
1.4 pp lower
5.2% vs 6.6% unemployment
Phoenix
Summer Heat
15.9°F warmer
July avg high 104.0°F vs 88.1°F
Roanoke
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 90.9 vs 98.4 (100 = US avg)
Roanoke
Violent Crime
22% lower
620.4 vs 799.6 per 100k
Roanoke
Median Home Value
$178k less
$162,000 vs $340,200
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Roanoke, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.4 | 90.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $340,200⚠ High | $162,000 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,322 | $917 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $72,092 ✓ Higher | $51,523 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.7 min | 20.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 14.4% ✓ Higher | 9.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 171⚠ High ✓ Safer | 175⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 210⚠ High | 163⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 111⚠ High ✓ Safer | 193⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (98) | B (100) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.7:1 | 12.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.2% ✓ Higher | 28.4% |
| High School or Higher | 83.9% | 89.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Paradise Valley Unified District (4241) | Roanoke City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 65.4°F ✓ Warmer | 47.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 104.0°F ✓ Warmer | 88.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.5" ✓ Drier | 42.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.2" ✓ Less | 14.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 1,609,456 ✓ Larger | 99,213 |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 38.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.4% ✓ Higher | 52.1% |
| Under 18 | 24.5% ✓ More | 22.2% |
| Over 65 | 11.5% | 17.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Phoenix'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, Phoenix leads 13 of 23 categories. Phoenix 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 Phoenix to Roanoke or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($340,200 vs $162,000 median home), income ($72,092 vs $51,523), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Phoenix, AZ and Roanoke, VA are about 1,818 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.