$100k salary, packing up from Baltimore

change
Roanoke, VA cityscape

swapping out of baltimore

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

$690

below Baltimore's monthly cost

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

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,382/mo

26% cheaper than Baltimore(vs $1,868/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$204/mo less in state tax than Baltimore

vs 8.2% in Baltimore

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$690 more than Baltimore

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

04a house here

$296k

28% cheaper than Baltimore

vs $412k in Baltimore

05metro size

314k

vs 2.8M in Baltimore

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Baltimore keeps to 168 pleasant days a year.

Noticeably quieter than Baltimore. About 82% fewer events on a typical month.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

5% higher than Baltimore

vs 66/100 in Baltimore

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

·walk score®

94/100

4% lower than Baltimore

vs 98/100 in Baltimore

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

87% fewer than Baltimore

vs 72 nonstops in Baltimore

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