Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Roanoke, VA
VS
Warren, MI
🏆 Roanoke leads 15 of 23 categories
Roanoke
Virginia
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$51,523
Violent Crime Index
163⚠ High
Population
99,213
Warren
Michigan
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$61,633 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
143⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
138,588 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Roanoke, VA
Pros
Rent averages $222/mo less ($917 vs $1,139)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.8 pts lower (6.6%)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 28.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 47°F vs 32°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.9)
Cons
Violent crime (620.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Warren by $10,110/yr
Property crime (4055.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Warren, MI
Pros
13% less violent crime than Roanoke
Households earn $10,110 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (541.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (7.4% vs 6.6%)
Cost of living runs 7% higher than Roanoke
Key Differences at a Glance
Roanoke
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 90.9 vs 98.0 (100 = US avg)
Roanoke
Unemployment
0.8 pp lower
6.6% vs 7.4% unemployment
Roanoke
Summer Heat
4.6°F warmer
July avg high 88.1°F vs 83.5°F
Warren
Median Income
$10,110
$61,633 vs $51,523/yr
Warren
Violent Crime
13% lower
541.8 vs 620.4 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Warren, MI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 90.9 ✓ Cheaper | 98.0 |
| Median Home Value | $162,000 ✓ Lower | $169,300 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $917 ✓ Lower | $1,139 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $51,523 | $61,633 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.4%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.9 min ✓ Shorter | 25.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 9.7% ✓ Higher | 8.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 175⚠ High | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 163⚠ High | 143⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 193⚠ High | 74 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) ✓ Better | C+ (89) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.4% ✓ Higher | 19.9% |
| High School or Higher | 89.1% ✓ Higher | 86.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Roanoke City Public Schools | Warren Consolidated Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.1°F ✓ Warmer | 32.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 88.1°F ✓ Warmer | 83.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 42.8" | 29.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 14.8" ✓ Less | 27.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 99,213 | 138,588 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 38.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 71.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.2% ✓ More | 21.1% |
| Over 65 | 17.6% ✓ More | 16.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Roanoke's cost of living index is 90.9 vs Warren's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Roanoke is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Roanoke leads 15 of 23 categories. Roanoke wins 15 and Warren 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 Roanoke to Warren or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($162,000 vs $169,300 median home), income ($51,523 vs $61,633), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Roanoke, VA and Warren, MI are about 395 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.