Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
VS
Roanoke, VA
🏆 Rancho Cucamonga leads 15 of 23 categories
Rancho Cucamonga
California
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$105,534 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
77 ✓ Safer
Population
174,696 ✓ 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.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Pros
Households earn $54,011 more per year on average
53% less violent crime than Roanoke
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (5.4%)
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 47°F
More college-educated — 37.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $657,400
Higher rents — median is $2,184/mo
Cost of living runs 17% higher than Roanoke
Longer commutes — 33.0 min average each way
Roanoke, VA
Pros
Homes cost $495k less ($162,000 vs $657,400)
Rent averages $1267/mo less ($917 vs $2,184)
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
17% cheaper overall cost of living than Rancho Cucamonga
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.9)
Cooler summers — July highs near 88°F vs 94°F
Cons
Median income trails Rancho Cucamonga by $54,011/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 5.4%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Rancho Cucamonga
Median Income
$54,011
$105,534 vs $51,523/yr
Rancho Cucamonga
Violent Crime
53% lower
293.7 vs 620.4 per 100k
Rancho Cucamonga
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
5.4% vs 6.6% unemployment
Rancho Cucamonga
Summer Heat
5.7°F warmer
July avg high 93.8°F vs 88.1°F
Roanoke
Cost of Living
17% cheaper
COL index 90.9 vs 107.9 (100 = US avg)
Roanoke
Median Home Value
$495k less
$162,000 vs $657,400
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Roanoke, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 107.9⚠ High | 90.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $657,400⚠ High | $162,000 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,184⚠ High | $917 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $105,534 ✓ Higher | $51,523 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 33.0 min⚠ High | 20.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.4% ✓ Higher | 9.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 81 ✓ Safer | 175⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 77 ✓ Safer | 163⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 86 ✓ Safer | 193⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (83) | B (100) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 25.1:1 | 12.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 37.0% ✓ Higher | 28.4% |
| High School or Higher | 91.8% ✓ Higher | 89.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Alta Loma Elementary | Roanoke City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 67.7°F ✓ Warmer | 47.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 93.8°F ✓ Warmer | 88.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.2" ✓ Drier | 42.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 14.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 174,696 ✓ Larger | 99,213 |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 38.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% ✓ Higher | 52.1% |
| Under 18 | 22.7% ✓ More | 22.2% |
| Over 65 | 13.2% | 17.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Rancho Cucamonga's cost of living index is 107.9 vs Roanoke's 90.9 (US average = 100).
Roanoke is 17% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Rancho Cucamonga leads 15 of 23 categories. Rancho Cucamonga 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 Rancho Cucamonga to Roanoke or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($657,400 vs $162,000 median home), income ($105,534 vs $51,523), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA and Roanoke, VA are about 2,107 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.