Roanoke, VA vs San Jose, 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 Jose
63
#1807 nationally
San Jose leads in median household income ($142,891 vs $51,523). Roanoke leads in cost of living index (95 vs 198). Roanoke leads in average commute (20.9 min vs 28.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | San Jose, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.5 (#1203) | 63 (#1807) |
| Population | 97,171 | 983,489 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $283,969 | $1,391,204 |
| Median Household Income | $51,523 | $142,891 |
| Average Commute | 20.9 min | 28.4 min |
| Walk Score | 39 | 51 |
| Crime Level | 17.0 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 7.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 95 | 198 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+23.6 | D+40.0 |
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
63 Score
San Jose, CA
Capital of Silicon Valley
Median Home
$1,391,204
Population
983,489
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Pacific
View San Jose, CA →