$100k salary, packing up from Des Moines

change
Roanoke, VA cityscape

swapping out of des moines

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

$93

the monthly cost of moving past Des Moines

A small premium for Roanoke. Worth it only if the rest of the city earns it back.
landable, recorded on the roanoke entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,382/mo

9% more expensive than Des Moines(vs $1,268/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$21/mo less in state tax than Des Moines

vs 6% in Des Moines

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$93 less than Des Moines

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

04a house here

$296k

1% cheaper than Des Moines

vs $300k in Des Moines

05metro size

314k

vs 737k in Des Moines

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Des Moines only manages 151 of those.

74% fewer events than Des Moines. The pace eases up.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

25% higher than Des Moines

vs 55/100 in Des Moines

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

·walk score®

94/100

21% higher than Des Moines

vs 78/100 in Des Moines

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

47% fewer than Des Moines

vs 17 nonstops in Des Moines

04 · see also

cities that play in roanoke's register:

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