with $100k coming in, swapping out of Columbus

change
Roanoke, VA cityscape

from columbus

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

$140

more expensive each month than Columbus

Roanoke edges out a little pricier. Close enough that the decision rides on the days, not the dollars.
landable, recorded on the roanoke entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,382/mo

9% more expensive than Columbus(vs $1,264/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$22/mo more in state tax than Columbus

vs 5.49% in Columbus

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$140 less than Columbus

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

04a house here

$296k

42% more expensive than Columbus

vs $208k in Columbus

05metro size

314k

vs 329k in Columbus

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Columbus only manages 177 of those.

Columbus hosts 1.9× more events.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

47% higher than Columbus

vs 47/100 in Columbus

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

·walk score®

94/100

21% higher than Columbus

vs 78/100 in Columbus

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

800% more than Columbus

vs 1 nonstops in Columbus

04 · see also

neighbors of roanoke on the map of tradeoffs:

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