Fairfax, VA 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.
Fairfax
70.4
#1102 nationally
Roanoke
69.5
#1203 nationally
Fairfax leads in crime level (2.5 vs 17.0). Fairfax leads in median household income ($128,708 vs $51,523). Roanoke leads in cost of living index (95 vs 160).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Fairfax, VA | Roanoke, VA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.4 (#1102) | 69.5 (#1203) |
| Population | 25,144 | 97,171 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,568 | $283,969 |
| Median Household Income | $128,708 | $51,523 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 20.9 min |
| Walk Score | 54 | 39 |
| Crime Level | 2.5 | 17.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 160 | 95 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+35.0 | D+23.6 |
C-
70.4 Score
Fairfax, VA
Small Virginia city with local appeal
Median Home
$787,568
Population
25,144
Crime
Low
Walk Score
54
Northeast
View Fairfax, VA →
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 →