Roanoke, VA vs San Diego, CA
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
San Diego
65.3
#1643 nationally
Roanoke leads in cost of living index (95 vs 165). San Diego leads in median household income ($89,457 vs $51,523). San Diego leads in walk score (52 vs 39).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | San Diego, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.5 (#1203) | 65.3 (#1643) |
| Population | 97,171 | 1,388,320 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $283,969 | $994,682 |
| Median Household Income | $51,523 | $89,457 |
| Average Commute | 20.9 min | 25.4 min |
| Walk Score | 39 | 52 |
| Crime Level | 17.0 | Moderate-Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 6.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 95 | 165 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+23.6 | D+16.8 |
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
65.3 Score
San Diego, CA
America's Finest City
Median Home
$994,682
Population
1,388,320
Crime
Moderate-Low
Schools
B
Pacific
View San Diego, CA →
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