$100k a year, no longer in Huntsville

change
Roanoke, VA cityscape

if you left huntsville

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

$71

the monthly cost of moving past Huntsville

Barely costlier than Huntsville. If Roanoke pulls you in, it's the life it offers, not the price tag.
landable, recorded on the roanoke entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,382/mo

1% more expensive than Huntsville(vs $1,374/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$63/mo more in state tax than Huntsville

vs 5% in Huntsville

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$71 less than Huntsville

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

04a house here

$296k

6% cheaper than Huntsville

vs $316k in Huntsville

05metro size

314k

vs 527k in Huntsville

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Huntsville only logs 177 pleasant days.

Noticeably quieter than Huntsville. About 63% fewer events on a typical month.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

19% higher than Huntsville

vs 58/100 in Huntsville

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

·walk score®

94/100

34% higher than Huntsville

vs 70/100 in Huntsville

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

0% fewer than Huntsville

vs 9 nonstops in Huntsville

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