$100k a year, no longer in Harrisburg

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Roanoke, VA cityscape

next stop after harrisburg

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

$160

the monthly cost of moving past Harrisburg

Roanoke edges out a little pricier. Close enough that the decision rides on the days, not the dollars.
landable, recorded on the roanoke entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,382/mo

4% cheaper than Harrisburg(vs $1,446/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$223/mo more in state tax than Harrisburg

vs 3.07% in Harrisburg

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$160 less than Harrisburg

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

04a house here

$296k

4% cheaper than Harrisburg

vs $309k in Harrisburg

05metro size

314k

vs 606k in Harrisburg

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Harrisburg only manages 152 of those.

Harrisburg hosts 2.8× more events.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

0% lower than Harrisburg

vs 69/100 in Harrisburg

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

·walk score®

94/100

1% higher than Harrisburg

vs 93/100 in Harrisburg

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

25% fewer than Harrisburg

vs 12 nonstops in Harrisburg

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