on $100k a year, leaving Gainesville

change
Roanoke, VA cityscape

next stop after gainesville

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

$216

pricier each month than Gainesville

Roanoke runs a little pricier than Gainesville. 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% cheaper than Gainesville(vs $1,645/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$479/mo more in state tax than Gainesville

vs 0% in Gainesville

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$216 less than Gainesville

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

04a house here

$296k

6% cheaper than Gainesville

vs $317k in Gainesville

05metro size

314k

vs 350k in Gainesville

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Gainesville edges ahead with 206 pleasant days.

A real upgrade on things to do: 4.0× Gainesville's pace.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

10% higher than Gainesville

vs 63/100 in Gainesville

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

·walk score®

94/100

3% higher than Gainesville

vs 91/100 in Gainesville

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

80% more than Gainesville

vs 5 nonstops in Gainesville

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