with $100k coming in, swapping out of Atlanta

change
Roanoke, VA cityscape

next stop after atlanta

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

$410

below Atlanta's monthly cost

You'd feel the difference in Roanoke. Not life-changing money, but real breathing room next to Atlanta.
landable, recorded on the roanoke entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,382/mo

24% cheaper than Atlanta(vs $1,814/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$22/mo more in state tax than Atlanta

vs 5.49% in Atlanta

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$410 more than Atlanta

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

04a house here

$296k

23% cheaper than Atlanta

vs $386k in Atlanta

05metro size

314k

vs 6.3M in Atlanta

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Atlanta gets 204 pleasant days a year, so you'd be trading some sunshine.

Lighter on events: Atlanta packs 19.9× more into a month.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

3% higher than Atlanta

vs 67/100 in Atlanta

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

·walk score®

94/100

1% higher than Atlanta

vs 93/100 in Atlanta

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

96% fewer than Atlanta

vs 217 nonstops in Atlanta

04 · see also

in the same ballpark as roanoke:

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