$100k salary, packing up from Ann Arbor

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Roanoke, VA cityscape

from ann arbor

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

$575

below Ann Arbor's monthly cost

The gap is real. Roanoke costs noticeably less than Ann Arbor, every month.
landable, recorded on the roanoke entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,382/mo

34% cheaper than Ann Arbor(vs $2,082/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$125/mo more in state tax than Ann Arbor

vs 4.25% in Ann Arbor

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$575 more than Ann Arbor

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

04a house here

$296k

31% cheaper than Ann Arbor

vs $429k in Ann Arbor

05metro size

314k

vs 366k in Ann Arbor

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Ann Arbor only manages 154 of those.

About as much going on as in Ann Arbor.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

23% higher than Ann Arbor

vs 56/100 in Ann Arbor

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

·walk score®

94/100

3% lower than Ann Arbor

vs 97/100 in Ann Arbor

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

93% fewer than Ann Arbor

vs 135 nonstops in Ann Arbor

04 · see also

same energy as roanoke, different zip code:

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