$100k a year, no longer in Fresno

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Roanoke, VA cityscape

from fresno

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

$913

less monthly outlay than Fresno

Move to Roanoke and the monthly math gets easier. Fresno's rent is the headline; Roanoke's is a footnote.
landable, recorded on the roanoke entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,382/mo

31% cheaper than Fresno(vs $1,999/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$296/mo less in state tax than Fresno

vs 9.3% in Fresno

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$913 more than Fresno

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

04a house here

$296k

29% cheaper than Fresno

vs $418k in Fresno

05metro size

314k

vs 1.2M in Fresno

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Fresno edges ahead with 206 pleasant days.

Noticeably quieter than Fresno. About 68% fewer events on a typical month.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

5% higher than Fresno

vs 66/100 in Fresno

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

·walk score®

94/100

6% higher than Fresno

vs 89/100 in Fresno

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

18% fewer than Fresno

vs 11 nonstops in Fresno

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