$100k a year, no longer in Akron

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Roanoke, VA cityscape

from akron

Roanoke

va · metro 314k

photo: Joseph Fuller / pexels

a dispatch from

roanoke

VA

37.27°N

79.94°W

Roanoke is the Star City of the South, named for the enormous illuminated star on Mill Mountain that's been lighting up the valley since 1949. The Blue Ridge Parkway runs right past town. The downtown has come back beautifully with the Taubman Museum, breweries, and a thriving market. The surrounding mountains are gorgeous in every season. Smaller and more scenic than people expect.

metro314k

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01 · the verdict

the verdict

$270

the monthly cost of moving past Akron

You'd pay for Roanoke. The question is whether the days are worth the difference.
landable, recorded on the roanoke entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,382/mo

10% more expensive than Akron(vs $1,259/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$147/mo more in state tax than Akron

vs 3.99% in Akron

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$270 less than Akron

gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.

04a house here

$296k

25% more expensive than Akron

vs $236k in Akron

05metro size

314k

vs 698k in Akron

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Akron keeps to 152 pleasant days a year.

Akron hosts 2.8× more events.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

6% higher than Akron

vs 65/100 in Akron

Closest outdoor draw: Smith Mountain Lake State Park, 22.3 mi.

·walk score®

94/100

24% higher than Akron

vs 76/100 in Akron

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

18% fewer than Akron

vs 11 nonstops in Akron

04 · see also

if roanoke appeals, also worth a look:

see also

chattanooga

$337/mo cheaper

turn the page

see also

el paso

$388/mo cheaper

turn the page

see also

lexington

more flight options

turn the page

compare roanoke with:

ChattanoogaEl PasoLexington