$100k salary, packing up from Fort Wayne

change
Roanoke, VA cityscape

instead of fort wayne

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

$424

the monthly premium over Fort Wayne

Roanoke runs a little pricier than Fort Wayne. The case has to be about something other than rent.
landable, recorded on the roanoke entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,382/mo

16% more expensive than Fort Wayne(vs $1,187/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$229/mo more in state tax than Fort Wayne

vs 3% in Fort Wayne

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$424 less than Fort Wayne

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

04a house here

$296k

17% more expensive than Fort Wayne

vs $254k in Fort Wayne

05metro size

314k

vs 458k in Fort Wayne

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Fort Wayne barely cracks 161 pleasant ones.

Noticeably quieter than Fort Wayne. About 43% fewer events on a typical month.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

50% higher than Fort Wayne

vs 46/100 in Fort Wayne

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

·walk score®

94/100

4% higher than Fort Wayne

vs 90/100 in Fort Wayne

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

10% fewer than Fort Wayne

vs 10 nonstops in Fort Wayne

04 · see also

if roanoke appeals, also worth a look:

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