same $100k income, fresh start from Knoxville

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Roanoke, VA cityscape

from knoxville

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

$130

pricier each month than Knoxville

A small premium for Roanoke. Worth it only if the rest of the city earns it back.
landable, recorded on the roanoke entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,382/mo

20% cheaper than Knoxville(vs $1,731/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$479/mo more in state tax than Knoxville

vs 0% in Knoxville

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$130 less than Knoxville

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

04a house here

$296k

19% cheaper than Knoxville

vs $364k in Knoxville

05metro size

314k

vs 947k in Knoxville

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Knoxville actually gets more: 189 pleasant days a year.

But the calendar thins out: Knoxville stays 3.5× busier.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

0% lower than Knoxville

vs 69/100 in Knoxville

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

·walk score®

94/100

32% higher than Knoxville

vs 71/100 in Knoxville

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

47% fewer than Knoxville

vs 17 nonstops in Knoxville

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