Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Roanoke, VA
VS
Worcester, MA
🏆 Roanoke leads 14 of 20 categories
Roanoke
Virginia
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$51,523
Violent Crime Index
163⚠ High
Population
99,213
Worcester
Massachusetts
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$63,011 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
4 ✓ Safer
Population
204,191 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Roanoke, VA
Pros
Homes cost $144k less ($162,000 vs $305,600)
Rent averages $395/mo less ($917 vs $1,312)
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Worcester
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
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 Worcester by $11,488/yr
Property crime (4055.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Worcester, MA
Pros
97% less violent crime than Roanoke
Households earn $11,488 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (16.5 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 33.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 80°F vs 88°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $305,600
Cost of living runs 13% higher than Roanoke
Snowy winters — about 73" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Roanoke
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 90.9 vs 103.8 (100 = US avg)
Roanoke
Median Home Value
$144k less
$162,000 vs $305,600
Roanoke
Summer Heat
8.3°F warmer
July avg high 88.1°F vs 79.8°F
Worcester
Median Income
$11,488
$63,011 vs $51,523/yr
Worcester
Violent Crime
97% lower
16.5 vs 620.4 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Worcester, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 90.9 ✓ Cheaper | 103.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $162,000 ✓ Lower | $305,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $917 ✓ Lower | $1,312 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $51,523 | $63,011 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6%⚠ High | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.9 min ✓ Shorter | 24.4 min |
| Work From Home % | 9.7% | 9.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 175⚠ High | — |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 163⚠ High | 4 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 193⚠ High | — |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) | B+ (106) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 13.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.4% | 33.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 89.1% ✓ Higher | 85.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Roanoke City Public Schools | Worcester |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.1°F ✓ Warmer | 32.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 88.1°F ✓ Warmer | 79.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 42.8" ✓ Drier | 48.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 14.8" ✓ Less | 72.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 99,213 | 204,191 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 38.1 ✓ Older | 34.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% ✓ Higher | 42.1% |
| Under 18 | 22.2% ✓ More | 19.5% |
| Over 65 | 17.6% ✓ More | 13.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Roanoke's cost of living index is 90.9 vs Worcester's 103.8 (US average = 100).
Roanoke is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 20 decided categories above, Roanoke leads 14 of 20 categories. Roanoke wins 14 and Worcester wins 6. 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 Worcester or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($162,000 vs $305,600 median home), income ($51,523 vs $63,011), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Roanoke, VA and Worcester, MA are about 553 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.