Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Reading, PA
VS
Roanoke, VA
🏆 Roanoke leads 18 of 23 categories
Reading
Pennsylvania
5
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.5
Median Household Income
$42,852
Violent Crime Index
89 ✓ Safer
Population
94,601
Roanoke
Virginia
18
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$51,523 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
163⚠ High
Population
99,213 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Reading, PA
Pros
Homes cost $65k less ($96,900 vs $162,000)
46% less violent crime than Roanoke
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.5)
Cons
Median income trails Roanoke by $8,671/yr
Higher unemployment (11.3% vs 6.6%)
Roanoke, VA
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.7 pts lower (6.6%)
Households earn $8,671 more per year on average
More college-educated — 28.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.9)
Milder winters — January highs near 47°F vs 39°F
Cons
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
Reading
Violent Crime
46% lower
337.2 vs 620.4 per 100k
Reading
Median Home Value
$65k less
$96,900 vs $162,000
Roanoke
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 90.9 vs 92.5 (100 = US avg)
Roanoke
Median Income
$8,671
$51,523 vs $42,852/yr
Roanoke
Unemployment
4.7 pp lower
6.6% vs 11.3% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Reading, PA | Roanoke, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.5 | 90.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $96,900 ✓ Lower | $162,000 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $942 | $917 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $42,852 | $51,523 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.3%⚠ High | 6.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.3 min | 20.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 4.2% | 9.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 81 ✓ Safer | 175⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 89 ✓ Safer | 163⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 68 ✓ Safer | 193⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (80) | B (100) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.2:1 | 12.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 11.7% | 28.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 71.6% | 89.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Reading SD | Roanoke City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.6°F | 47.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 86.5°F | 88.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 49.3" | 42.8" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 27.2" | 14.8" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 94,601 | 99,213 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 31.1 | 38.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 52.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 28.5% ✓ More | 22.2% |
| Over 65 | 10.5% | 17.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Reading's cost of living index is 92.5 vs Roanoke's 90.9 (US average = 100).
Roanoke is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Roanoke leads 18 of 23 categories. Reading wins 5 and Roanoke wins 18. 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 Reading to Roanoke or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($96,900 vs $162,000 median home), income ($42,852 vs $51,523), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Reading, PA and Roanoke, VA are about 303 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.