on $100k a year, leaving Houston

change
Roanoke, VA cityscape

swapping out of houston

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

$251

pricier each month than Houston

You'd pay for Roanoke. The question is whether the days are worth the difference.
landable, recorded on the roanoke entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,382/mo

14% cheaper than Houston(vs $1,610/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$479/mo more in state tax than Houston

vs 0% in Houston

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$251 less than Houston

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

04a house here

$296k

5% cheaper than Houston

vs $311k in Houston

05metro size

314k

vs 7.5M in Houston

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Houston keeps to 171 pleasant days a year.

But the calendar thins out: Houston stays 17.7× busier.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

25% higher than Houston

vs 55/100 in Houston

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

·walk score®

94/100

22% higher than Houston

vs 77/100 in Houston

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

95% fewer than Houston

vs 176 nonstops in Houston

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