Living in Roanoke, Virginia
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Roanoke · Census data 2020–2024
Roanoke has 98,355 residents with a median age of 38.3. The median household income is $55,378 (41% lower than the Virginia median), the median home value is $190,500, the median rent is $996/month.
Roanoke at a glance
- Population
- 98,355
- Median age
- 38.3State: 39
- Median household income
- $55,378State: $93,170
- Median home value
- $190,500State: $383,700
- Median rent
- $996/moState: $1,579
- Homeowners
- 52.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 30%
- Average commute
- 19 min
Is Roanoke a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 50% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 41% lower than the Virginia median; unemployment of 5.6%; a poverty rate of 18.3%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Roanoke
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Roanoke the median home value is $190,500, 43% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $996 per month, which is 28.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,293 a month in housing costs.
Roanoke median household income
The median household income in Roanoke is $55,378 and the income per person is $36,576. 18.3% of residents live below the poverty line (Virginia: 9.9%).
Housing in Roanoke: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 49,106
- Owner-occupied
- 52.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 47.6%
- Vacant
- 11.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1958
- Average household size
- 2.22
Roanoke demographics
- Population
- 98,355
- Median age
- 38.3
- Under 18
- 22.6%
- 65 and older
- 17.8%
- Households
- 43,575
- Foreign-born
- 8%
- Veterans
- 7.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Roanoke ›
Education in Roanoke
30% of adults 25 and older in Roanoke have a bachelor's degree or higher (Virginia: 42.2%), and 11.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Roanoke
- Unemployment rate
- 5.6%State: 4.3%
- Average commute
- 19 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 11.8%
- Drive alone
- 74.9%
- Public transit
- 2.4%
- Walk to work
- 1.6%
- Homes with broadband
- 85.7%
Roanoke vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roanoke | 98,355 | $55,378 | $190,500 | $996 |
| Vinton | 8,056 | $65,445 | $190,900 | $992 |
| Cave Spring | 25,742 | $87,539 | $325,800 | $1,285 |
| Hollins | 17,097 | $77,456 | $244,300 | $1,193 |
| Salem | 25,618 | $66,725 | $258,600 | $1,133 |
| Cloverdale | 3,208 | $79,975 | $359,900 | $921 |
| Laymantown | 1,626 | $88,401 | $285,200 | — |
| Glenvar | 829 | $49,083 | $264,100 | $1,036 |
| Stewartsville | 737 | $94,390 | $217,600 | — |
More for people moving to Roanoke
Roanoke ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Roanoke: FAQ
What is the median household income in Roanoke, VA?
The median household income in Roanoke is $55,378, 41% lower than the Virginia median of $93,170 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Roanoke?
The median home value in Roanoke is $190,500, compared with $383,700 in Virginia.
How much is rent in Roanoke?
The median gross rent in Roanoke is $996 per month, about 28.4% of household income.
Is Roanoke, VA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 50% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes. Minuses: median household income 41% lower than the Virginia median; unemployment of 5.6%; a poverty rate of 18.3%.
What is the median age in Roanoke?
The median age in Roanoke is 38.3 years (Virginia: 39).
How long is the commute in Roanoke?
The average commute to work in Roanoke is 19 minutes; 11.8% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Roanoke?
The unemployment rate in Roanoke is 5.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Roanoke?
30% of adults in Roanoke have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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