Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Roanoke, VA
VS
Yakima, WA
🏆 Roanoke leads 14 of 23 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 ✓ Larger
Yakima
Washington
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
101.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$55,734 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
143⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
96,764
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Roanoke, VA
Pros
Homes cost $81k less ($162,000 vs $243,300)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (6.6%)
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Yakima
Rent averages $97/mo less ($917 vs $1,014)
More college-educated — 28.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.9)
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
Median income trails Yakima by $4,211/yr
Yakima, WA
Pros
12% less violent crime than Roanoke
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Households earn $4,211 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (544.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Roanoke
Higher unemployment (8.1% vs 6.6%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Roanoke
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 90.9 vs 101.6 (100 = US avg)
Roanoke
Median Home Value
$81k less
$162,000 vs $243,300
Roanoke
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
6.6% vs 8.1% unemployment
Yakima
Median Income
$4,211
$55,734 vs $51,523/yr
Yakima
Violent Crime
12% lower
544.3 vs 620.4 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Yakima, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 90.9 ✓ Cheaper | 101.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $162,000 ✓ Lower | $243,300 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $917 ✓ Lower | $1,014 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $51,523 | $55,734 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.9 min | 17.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 9.7% ✓ Higher | 5.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 175⚠ High | 125⚠ 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 | 97 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) ✓ Better | C (79) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.4% ✓ Higher | 19.3% |
| High School or Higher | 89.1% ✓ Higher | 77.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Roanoke City Public Schools | Yakima School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.1°F ✓ Warmer | 39.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 88.1°F | 88.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 42.8" | 8.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 14.8" ✓ Less | 20.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 99,213 ✓ Larger | 96,764 |
| Median Age | 38.1 ✓ Older | 33.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 53.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.2% | 27.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.6% ✓ More | 15.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Roanoke's cost of living index is 90.9 vs Yakima's 101.6 (US average = 100).
Roanoke is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Roanoke leads 14 of 23 categories. Roanoke wins 14 and Yakima 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 Yakima or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($162,000 vs $243,300 median home), income ($51,523 vs $55,734), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Roanoke, VA and Yakima, WA are about 2,157 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.