Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Roanoke, VA
VS
Stamford, CT
🏆 Roanoke leads 13 of 22 categories
Roanoke
Virginia
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$51,523
Violent Crime Index
163⚠ High
Population
99,213
Stamford
Connecticut
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$100,718 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
41 ✓ Safer
Population
135,413 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Roanoke, VA
Pros
Homes cost $423k less ($162,000 vs $584,700)
Rent averages $1212/mo less ($917 vs $2,129)
16% cheaper overall cost of living than Stamford
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.9)
Milder winters — January highs near 47°F vs 38°F
Cons
Median income trails Stamford by $49,195/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 5.5%)
Stamford, CT
Pros
Households earn $49,195 more per year on average
75% less violent crime than Roanoke
Violent crime is well below the national average (157.5 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 50.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.1 pts lower (5.5%)
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $584,700
Higher rents — median is $2,129/mo
Cost of living runs 16% higher than Roanoke
Longer commutes — 27.8 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Roanoke
Cost of Living
16% cheaper
COL index 90.9 vs 106.5 (100 = US avg)
Roanoke
Median Home Value
$423k less
$162,000 vs $584,700
Roanoke
Summer Heat
3.3°F warmer
July avg high 88.1°F vs 84.8°F
Stamford
Median Income
$49,195
$100,718 vs $51,523/yr
Stamford
Violent Crime
75% lower
157.5 vs 620.4 per 100k
Stamford
Unemployment
1.1 pp lower
5.5% vs 6.6% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Stamford, CT |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 90.9 ✓ Cheaper | 106.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $162,000 ✓ Lower | $584,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $917 ✓ Lower | $2,129⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $51,523 | $100,718 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6%⚠ High | 5.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.9 min ✓ Shorter | 27.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 9.7% | 14.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 175⚠ High | 48 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 163⚠ High | 41 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 193⚠ High | 58 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) | A (120) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.2:1 | 12.2:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.4% | 50.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 89.1% ✓ Higher | 88.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Roanoke City Public Schools | Stamford School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.1°F ✓ Warmer | 38.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 88.1°F ✓ Warmer | 84.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 42.8" ✓ Drier | 50.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 14.8" ✓ Less | 34.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 99,213 | 135,413 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 38.1 ✓ Older | 37.6 |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% ✓ Higher | 46.0% |
| Under 18 | 22.2% ✓ More | 19.2% |
| Over 65 | 17.6% ✓ More | 15.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Roanoke's cost of living index is 90.9 vs Stamford's 106.5 (US average = 100).
Roanoke is 16% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Roanoke leads 13 of 22 categories. Roanoke wins 13 and Stamford wins 9. 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 Roanoke to Stamford or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($162,000 vs $584,700 median home), income ($51,523 vs $100,718), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Roanoke, VA and Stamford, CT are about 432 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.