Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Roanoke, VA
VS
Waterbury, CT
🏆 Roanoke leads 18 of 23 categories
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
Waterbury
Connecticut
5
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.1
Median Household Income
$51,451
Violent Crime Index
85 ✓ Safer
Population
114,480 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Roanoke, VA
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.2 pts lower (6.6%)
Rent averages $223/mo less ($917 vs $1,140)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 28.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.9)
Milder winters — January highs near 47°F vs 37°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
Waterbury, CT
Pros
48% less violent crime than Roanoke
Cons
Property crime (2918.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (9.8% vs 6.6%)
Snowy winters — about 47" of snow per year
Cost of living runs 4% higher than Roanoke
Key Differences at a Glance
Roanoke
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 90.9 vs 95.1 (100 = US avg)
Roanoke
Unemployment
3.2 pp lower
6.6% vs 9.8% unemployment
Roanoke
Summer Heat
4.1°F warmer
July avg high 88.1°F vs 84.0°F
Waterbury
Violent Crime
48% lower
322.5 vs 620.4 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Waterbury, CT |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 90.9 ✓ Cheaper | 95.1 |
| Median Home Value | $162,000 ✓ Lower | $162,800 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $917 ✓ Lower | $1,140 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $51,523 ✓ Higher | $51,451 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 9.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.9 min ✓ Shorter | 27.6 min |
| Work From Home % | 9.7% ✓ Higher | 6.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 175⚠ High | 107⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 163⚠ High | 85 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 193⚠ High | 139⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) ✓ Better | B- (91) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 12.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.4% ✓ Higher | 16.7% |
| High School or Higher | 89.1% ✓ Higher | 81.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Roanoke City Public Schools | Waterbury School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.1°F ✓ Warmer | 37.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 88.1°F ✓ Warmer | 84.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 42.8" ✓ Drier | 52.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 14.8" ✓ Less | 46.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 99,213 | 114,480 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 38.1 ✓ Older | 36.7 |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% ✓ Higher | 43.8% |
| Under 18 | 22.2% | 22.7% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.6% ✓ More | 13.9% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Roanoke's cost of living index is 90.9 vs Waterbury's 95.1 (US average = 100).
Roanoke is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Roanoke leads 18 of 23 categories. Roanoke wins 18 and Waterbury wins 5. 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 Waterbury or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($162,000 vs $162,800 median home), income ($51,523 vs $51,451), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Roanoke, VA and Waterbury, CT are about 473 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.