Small city in Denton County, part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro

Living in Roanoke, TX

A-

38th of 192Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people
Overall score 82 of 100
48th of 181 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area

We give Roanoke an A-. It ranks 38th of 192 Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. It does best on schools and safety, and trails on getting around and home ownership. It is a strong pick for families and retirees.

  • Good for families
  • Good for retirees
  • Top-rated schools
  • Fast-growing
  • Getting around scores low (10 of 100)
  • Tornado risk is very high
Map of Texas showing where Roanoke isHoustonSan AntonioAustinRoanoke
Where Roanoke is in Texas.
Population
10,931+13.0% since 2020
Median rent
$1,78327% higher than Texas
Median home value
$466,90065% higher than Texas
Household income
$97,295Median
Average commute
27 minOne way
Violent crime
98Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Roanoke

Roanoke sits about 31 miles from downtown Dallas, in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro. 10,931 people lived here in 2025, up 13.0% from 2020, so it is one of the faster-growing places in Texas. It is spread out, with mostly newer homes (the median home was built in 2008).

Local spots people know include Roanoke Community Park, Fairplay Park and Cannon Parkway Park.

The median age is 41.5, 42% of households have children, 54% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $97,295 a year (24% higher than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Roanoke

  • Strong public schools. 100% of the 3 rated campuses here earn an A or B from the Texas Education Agency.
  • Low violent crime. 98 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 75% lower than the Texas rate.

Cons of living in Roanoke

  • Higher rent. Median rent is $1,783, 27% higher than the Texas median.
  • Homes are pricey for local incomes. The median home costs 4.8 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of tornadoes, hail and wildfires as very high here.

Who Roanoke suits

  • FamiliesA strong fit: 100% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 75% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 88% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 24% higher than the Texas median, with 120 restaurants and 6 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 51% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA strong fit: 10% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 75% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 86% for retirees.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 94% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,783 is 27% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 62% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetNot the best fit: the median rent of $1,783 is 27% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 29% for people on a budget.

Roanoke report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Roanoke with other US cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people.

  • Cost of living: grade C-

    Median rent $1,783, homes cost 4.8x income.

    38 of 100 vs US cities

  • Jobs and income: grade B

    Median household income $97,295, 5.0% unemployed.

    68 of 100 vs US cities

  • Schools: grade A+

    3 rated campuses, 100% rated A or B.

    98 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Safety: grade B+

    98 violent crimes per 100k, 875 property crimes per 100k.

    77 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Errands and things to do: grade C+

    6 grocery stores, 120 restaurants, 12 parks mapped in town.

    53 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Getting around: grade D-

    Average commute 27 min, 26% work from home.

    10 of 100 vs US cities

  • Education levels: grade C+

    47% have a bachelor’s degree.

    54 of 100 vs US cities

  • Health: grade B-

    10% of adults uninsured.

    62 of 100 vs US cities

  • Home ownership: grade C-

    54% of homes owner-occupied.

    37 of 100 vs US cities

  • Internet access: grade B-

    94% of homes have broadband.

    60 of 100 vs US cities

Where Roanoke stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 47%13 points higher than Texas (34%)
  • Median household income: $97,29524% higher than Texas ($78,476)
  • Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 10%10 points lower than Texas (20%)

Worse than Texas

  • Home value to income: 4.8x33% higher than Texas (3.6x)
  • Median rent: $1,78327% higher than Texas ($1,403)
  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 54%8 points lower than Texas (63%)

Cost of living in Roanoke

Roanoke renters pay a median of $1,783 a month, 27% higher than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $71,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 45% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,536 for a one-bedroom, $1,807 for a two-bedroom and $2,275 for a three-bedroom (fiscal year 2027). These figures include utilities and describe a modest unit, so newer apartments often ask for more.

The median home is worth $466,900, 65% higher than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $2,556 before tax, or $3,133 with property tax. That is $1,350 a month more than the median rent, so renting is the cheaper monthly choice unless you plan to stay for years.

Texas has no state income tax, but property taxes are among the highest in the country. The median homeowner in Roanoke pays $6,931 a year, 64% higher than the Texas median of $4,232. Budget for it, along with homeowners insurance, which our numbers do not include.

See the full cost of living breakdown for Roanoke

Typical rent by apartment size

Fair market rent by bedroom count in RoanokeStudio$1,4911 bedroom$1,5362 bedrooms$1,8073 bedrooms$2,2754 bedrooms$2,892
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Dallas, TX HUD Metro FMR Area. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent27% higher than Texas$1,783$1,403$1,413
Median home value65% higher than Texas$466,900$283,800$332,700
Home value to income33% higher than Texas4.8x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent6 points lower than Texas45%52%51%
Median property tax per year64% higher than Texas$6,931$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them8 points lower than Texas54%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas200819921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$3,133
Mortgage payment
$2,556
Property tax
$578
Median rent, for comparison
$1,783

Based on a $466,900 home in Roanoke, 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28% (Freddie Mac average, week of 2026-10-01). Property tax is the median paid locally, or the county median where the local figure is not published. Insurance and fees are not included.

Is Roanoke safe?

In 2025, Roanoke Police Department reported 11 violent crimes and 98 property crimes. That works out to 98 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 75% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 875 property crimes per 100,000, 58% lower than the state rate.

Violent crime is up about 44% since 2021, based on the yearly rates below.

Crime rates describe the whole area a police department covers. Some streets are much quieter than the average and some are busier, so look at the neighborhood grades and visit at different times of day.

Violent crimes per 100,000 people in Roanoke by yearTexas9820212022202320242025

Violent crimes per 100,000 people by year. The dashed line is the Texas rate for 2025.

Violent crime
98
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
875
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Roanoke by yearTexas87520212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Roanoke Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.

Schools in Roanoke

Roanoke has 3 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 100% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Northwest ISD.

Top-rated campuses include James M Steele Early College High School, Wayne A Cox Elementary and Roanoke Elementary. The average rating score across all campuses is 94 out of 100, against a Texas median of 81.

Texas districts usually assign students by attendance zone rather than the closest campus, so check the zone for a specific address with the district before you sign a lease or buy.

Schools grade
98
of 100 vs Texas cities
Average rating
94
Texas median 81

Ratings are the 2025 Texas Education Agency A to F accountability ratings. Always check which school serves a specific address with the district.

Top-rated schools

  • AJames M Steele Early College High SchoolHigh, Northwest ISD98 of 100
  • AWayne A Cox ElementaryElementary, Northwest ISD92 of 100
  • ARoanoke ElementaryElementary, Northwest ISD91 of 100

Daily life in Roanoke

Everyday places mapped inside Roanoke, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Roanoke Community Park, Fairplay Park, Cannon Parkway Park.

The average one-way commute is 27 minutes, about the same as the Texas average. 26% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

Downtown Dallas is about 31 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Roanoke work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $97,295, income per person is $63,605, unemployment is 5.0% and 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
6
Pharmacies
3
Restaurants
120
Cafes
6
Bars
15
Parks
12
Gyms
7
Hospitals and urgent care
5
Childcare
4
Libraries
1

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income24% higher than Texas$97,295$78,476$80,734
Income per person56% higher than Texas$63,605$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rateAbout the same as Texas5.0%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line9 points lower than Texas4.5%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher13 points higher than Texas47%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher3 points higher than Texas89%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance10 points lower than Texas10%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet2 points higher than Texas94%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commuteAbout the same as Texas27 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home11 points higher than Texas26%14%15%
Workers who work from home26%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0.3%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Roanoke

Under 1825%
18 to 3414%
35 to 6451%
65 and over9.9%

Median age 41.5 years. 42% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White59%
Hispanic or Latino23%
Black4.8%
Asian5.7%
Other or more than one race7.4%

Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.

Weather in Roanoke

Roanoke has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 97°F and January lows about 36°F. There are about 108 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 37 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Roanoke30°50°70°90°57J62F69M76A84M93J97J97A89S79O67N58DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Ft Worth Alliance Ap, 6 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is high, hurricane risk is low, tornado risk is very high and hail risk is very high. Before you buy, look up the FEMA flood zone for the exact address and get a flood insurance quote, since standard home policies do not cover floods.

  • River floodingHigh
  • HurricanesLow
  • TornadoesVery high
  • HailVery high
  • Heat wavesHigh
  • WildfiresVery high
  • Winter stormsModerate
  • Strong windModerate

Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025, Census tract level averaged for the city. Check the FEMA flood map for any address before you buy.

Places near Roanoke

Nearby, Trophy Club gets an A+, Westlake gets an A and Northlake gets an A-. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

  1. A+Trophy ClubSmall city, 13,733 people2 mi
  2. AWestlakeTown, 1,670 people3 mi
  3. A-NorthlakeTown, 8,283 people5 mi
  4. A+KellerSmall city, 45,976 people6 mi
  5. A+SouthlakeSmall city, 31,137 people6 mi
  6. A-BartonvilleTown, 2,112 people6 mi

Roanoke in the Dallas-Fort Worth area

How it ranks among 181 places in the metro.

  1. 1A+Flower Mound78,389 people26 mito downtown
  2. 2A+Trophy Club13,733 people29 mito downtown
  3. 3A+University Park25,155 people4 mito downtown
  4. 45A-Grapevine51,139 people20 mito downtown
  5. 46A-Dalworthington Gardens2,180 people24 mito downtown
  6. 47A-Northlake8,283 people35 mito downtown
  7. 48A-Roanoke10,286 people31 mito downtown
  8. 49A-Burleson52,918 people38 mito downtown
  9. 50B+Caddo Mills3,340 people35 mito downtown
  10. 51B+Krugerville1,577 people36 mito downtown

See all of the best suburbs of dallas-fort worth

Living in Roanoke: common questions

Is Roanoke, TX a good place to live?

We give Roanoke an A-. It ranks 38th of 192 Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. It does best on schools and safety, and trails on getting around and home ownership. It is a strong pick for families and retirees.

How much does it cost to live in Roanoke?

Renters in Roanoke pay a median of $1,783 a month, 27% higher than the Texas median. The median home is worth $466,900, 65% higher than the Texas median. A median home costs 4.8x the median household income, compared with 3.6x across Texas. With 20% down at a 7.28% rate, the monthly payment on a median home is about $3,133, including property tax.

Is Roanoke safe?

In 2025, Roanoke Police Department reported 98 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 75% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 875 per 100,000, 58% lower than the Texas rate.

Are the schools good in Roanoke?

We found 3 rated public school campuses inside Roanoke. 100% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 98 of 100 compared with other Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people.

Does Roanoke flood?

FEMA rates river flooding risk in Roanoke as high, and coastal flooding as not rated. Hazards rated high or very high here: river flooding, tornadoes, heat waves, hail and wildfires. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.

What is the weather like in Roanoke?

Summers in Roanoke peak at about 97°F in July, and January nights fall to about 36°F. Expect around 108 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 37 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in Roanoke?

The average one-way commute is 27 min, about the same as the Texas average. About 26% of workers work from home. It is about 31 miles from downtown Dallas.

Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year and 2025 population estimates, CDC PLACES 2025, Texas Education Agency 2025 ratings, FBI Crime Data Explorer, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, Overture Maps. Updated 2026-10-04. How we grade.