$100k a year, no longer in Indianapolis

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Roanoke, VA cityscape

next stop after indianapolis

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

$100

the monthly cost of moving past Indianapolis

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

9% cheaper than Indianapolis(vs $1,511/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$229/mo more in state tax than Indianapolis

vs 3% in Indianapolis

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$100 less than Indianapolis

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

04a house here

$296k

0% more expensive than Indianapolis

vs $296k in Indianapolis

05metro size

314k

vs 2.1M in Indianapolis

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Indianapolis only manages 174 of those.

87% fewer events than Indianapolis. The pace eases up.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

11% higher than Indianapolis

vs 62/100 in Indianapolis

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

·walk score®

94/100

5% lower than Indianapolis

vs 99/100 in Indianapolis

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

74% fewer than Indianapolis

vs 35 nonstops in Indianapolis

04 · see also

same energy as roanoke, different zip code:

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