Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Roanoke, VA
VS
Tempe, AZ
🏆 Tempe leads 14 of 23 categories
Roanoke
Virginia
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$51,523
Violent Crime Index
163⚠ High
Population
99,213
Tempe
Arizona
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
99.9
Median Household Income
$72,022 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
124⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
181,005 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Roanoke, VA
Pros
Homes cost $220k less ($162,000 vs $382,100)
Rent averages $555/mo less ($917 vs $1,472)
Cooler summers — July highs near 88°F vs 106°F
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Tempe
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.9)
Smaller class sizes — 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Tempe by $20,499/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 5.7%)
Tempe, AZ
Pros
Households earn $20,499 more per year on average
24% less violent crime than Roanoke
More college-educated — 48.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (5.7%)
Milder winters — January highs near 71°F vs 47°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $382,100
Higher rents — median is $1,472/mo
Violent crime (470.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2893.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Roanoke
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 90.9 vs 99.9 (100 = US avg)
Roanoke
Median Home Value
$220k less
$162,000 vs $382,100
Tempe
Median Income
$20,499
$72,022 vs $51,523/yr
Tempe
Violent Crime
24% lower
470.3 vs 620.4 per 100k
Tempe
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
5.7% vs 6.6% unemployment
Tempe
Summer Heat
17.8°F warmer
July avg high 105.9°F vs 88.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Tempe, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 90.9 ✓ Cheaper | 99.9 |
| Median Home Value | $162,000 ✓ Lower | $382,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $917 ✓ Lower | $1,472⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $51,523 | $72,022 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6%⚠ High | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.9 min ✓ Shorter | 21.5 min |
| Work From Home % | 9.7% | 16.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 175⚠ High | 129⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 163⚠ High | 124⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 193⚠ High | 138⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) | A (125) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.4% | 48.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 89.1% | 93.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Roanoke City Public Schools | Tempe School District (4258) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.1°F | 70.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 88.1°F | 105.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 42.8" | 8.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 14.8" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 99,213 | 181,005 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 38.1 ✓ Older | 29.7 |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% ✓ Higher | 40.7% |
| Under 18 | 22.2% ✓ More | 14.4% |
| Over 65 | 17.6% ✓ More | 10.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Roanoke's cost of living index is 90.9 vs Tempe's 99.9 (US average = 100).
Roanoke is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Tempe leads 14 of 23 categories. Roanoke wins 9 and Tempe wins 14. 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 Tempe or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($162,000 vs $382,100 median home), income ($51,523 vs $72,022), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Roanoke, VA and Tempe, AZ are about 1,813 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.