with $100k coming in, swapping out of Charleston

change
Roanoke, VA cityscape

swapping out of charleston

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

$667

less monthly outlay than Charleston

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

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,382/mo

30% cheaper than Charleston(vs $1,987/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$62/mo less in state tax than Charleston

vs 6.5% in Charleston

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$667 more than Charleston

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

04a house here

$296k

31% cheaper than Charleston

vs $432k in Charleston

05metro size

314k

vs 849k in Charleston

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Charleston gets 212 pleasant days a year, so you'd be trading some sunshine.

71% fewer events than Charleston. The pace eases up.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

3% higher than Charleston

vs 67/100 in Charleston

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

·walk score®

94/100

2% higher than Charleston

vs 92/100 in Charleston

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

55% fewer than Charleston

vs 20 nonstops in Charleston

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