Phoenix, AZ vs Roanoke, VA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Phoenix
66.7
#1514 nationally
Roanoke
69.5
#1203 nationally
Phoenix leads in median household income ($65,891 vs $51,523). Roanoke leads in average commute (20.9 min vs 26.7 min). Roanoke leads in cost of living index (95 vs 106).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Roanoke, VA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.7 (#1514) | 69.5 (#1203) |
| Population | 1,650,070 | 97,171 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $408,770 | $283,969 |
| Median Household Income | $65,891 | $51,523 |
| Average Commute | 26.7 min | 20.9 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 39 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 17.0 |
| School Rating | 5.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 106 | 95 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+3.5 | D+23.6 |
D
66.7 Score
Phoenix, AZ
Valley of the Sun with explosive growth
Median Home
$408,770
Population
1,650,070
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C+
Southwest
View Phoenix, AZ →
D+
69.5 Score
Roanoke, VA
Virginia community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$283,969
Population
97,171
Crime
High
Walk Score
39
Northeast
View Roanoke, VA →