Boulder, CO 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.
Boulder
67.4
#1424 nationally
Roanoke
69.5
#1203 nationally
Roanoke leads in cost of living index (95 vs 165). Boulder leads in median household income ($86,098 vs $51,523). Boulder leads in walk score (62 vs 39).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Roanoke, VA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.4 (#1424) | 69.5 (#1203) |
| Population | 103,166 | 97,171 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $957,377 | $283,969 |
| Median Household Income | $86,098 | $51,523 |
| Average Commute | 21.4 min | 20.9 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 39 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-Low | 17.0 |
| School Rating | 8.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 165 | 95 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+55.8 | D+23.6 |
D+
67.4 Score
Boulder, CO
Nature meets innovation at the Flatirons
Median Home
$957,377
Population
103,166
Crime
Moderate-Low
Schools
A
West
View Boulder, CO →
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 →