with $100k coming in, swapping out of Hickory

change
Roanoke, VA cityscape

from hickory

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

$52

the monthly premium over Hickory

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 Hickory(vs $1,434/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$104/mo more in state tax than Hickory

vs 4.5% in Hickory

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$52 less than Hickory

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

04a house here

$296k

10% more expensive than Hickory

vs $268k in Hickory

05metro size

314k

vs 370k in Hickory

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Hickory has the edge here, logging 189 pleasant days a year.

Hickory hosts 1.6× more events.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

8% higher than Hickory

vs 64/100 in Hickory

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

·walk score®

94/100

34% higher than Hickory

vs 70/100 in Hickory

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

0% fewer than Hickory

vs 0 nonstops in Hickory

04 · see also

in the same ballpark as roanoke:

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