Roanoke, VA vs Sanford, NC
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.
Roanoke
69.5
#1203 nationally
Sanford
68.9
#1274 nationally
Roanoke leads in walk score (39 vs 22). Sanford leads in crime level (12.3 vs 17.0). Roanoke leads in average commute (20.9 min vs 23.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Sanford, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.5 (#1203) | 68.9 (#1274) |
| Population | 97,171 | 32,064 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $283,969 | $291,588 |
| Median Household Income | $51,523 | $52,951 |
| Average Commute | 20.9 min | 23.4 min |
| Walk Score | 39 | 22 |
| Crime Level | 17.0 | 12.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 95 | 93 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+23.6 | R+17.5 |
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 →
D+
68.9 Score
Sanford, NC
Small North Carolina city with local appeal
Median Home
$291,588
Population
32,064
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
22
Southeast
View Sanford, NC →