on $100k a year, leaving Cincinnati

change
Roanoke, VA cityscape

next stop after cincinnati

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

in our guides

#6

of 10

Affordable cities for outdoor lovers

read the guide
#9

of 10

Best affordable cities to live car-free

read the guide
#4

of 10

Best cities for retirees who love the outdoors

read the guide
#7

of 10

Best cities for families

read the guide
#8

of 10

Best cities for families who love the outdoors

read the guide
#8

of 10

Best cities for mild four-season weather

read the guide
#9

of 10

Best cities to leave Los Angeles for

read the guide
#5

of 10

Affordable alternatives to Denver

read the guide
#9

of 10

Best cities to live in the South

read the guide
#6

of 10

Best small cities to live in

read the guide
#8

of 10

Best cities on the East Coast

read the guide
#10

of 10

Best cities for a $75k salary

read the guide
#7

of 10

Best cities to buy a home

read the guide
#9

of 10

Best cities to leave Nashville for

read the guide
#7

of 10

Affordable alternatives to Nashville

read the guide
#10

of 10

Best cities to leave DC for

read the guide
#7

of 10

Best cities for a $60k salary

read the guide
#2

of 10

Affordable alternatives to Boise

read the guide

01 · the verdict

the verdict

$20

lighter monthly cost than Cincinnati

Cost barely budges between Roanoke and Cincinnati. Pick this one for the texture of the days, not the math.
landable, recorded on the roanoke entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,382/mo

11% cheaper than Cincinnati(vs $1,549/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$147/mo more in state tax than Cincinnati

vs 3.99% in Cincinnati

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$20 more than Cincinnati

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

04a house here

$296k

6% cheaper than Cincinnati

vs $316k in Cincinnati

05metro size

314k

vs 2.3M in Cincinnati

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Cincinnati only logs 162 pleasant days.

Noticeably quieter than Cincinnati. About 86% fewer events on a typical month.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

4% lower than Cincinnati

vs 72/100 in Cincinnati

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

·walk score®

94/100

2% lower than Cincinnati

vs 96/100 in Cincinnati

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

81% fewer than Cincinnati

vs 47 nonstops in Cincinnati

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