with $100k coming in, swapping out of Dayton

change
Roanoke, VA cityscape

instead of dayton

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.

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01 · the verdict

the verdict

$208

the monthly premium over Dayton

You'd pay for Roanoke. The question is whether the days are worth the difference.
landable, recorded on the roanoke entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,382/mo

5% more expensive than Dayton(vs $1,321/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$147/mo more in state tax than Dayton

vs 3.99% in Dayton

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$208 less than Dayton

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

04a house here

$296k

113% more expensive than Dayton

vs $139k in Dayton

05metro size

314k

vs 808k in Dayton

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Dayton keeps to 171 pleasant days a year.

A similar weekend lineup to Dayton.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

11% higher than Dayton

vs 62/100 in Dayton

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

·walk score®

94/100

6% higher than Dayton

vs 89/100 in Dayton

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

44% fewer than Dayton

vs 16 nonstops in Dayton

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