on $100k a year, leaving Lakeland

change
Roanoke, VA cityscape

if you left lakeland

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

$27

pricier each month than Lakeland

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

25% cheaper than Lakeland(vs $1,834/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$479/mo more in state tax than Lakeland

vs 0% in Lakeland

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$27 less than Lakeland

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

04a house here

$296k

2% cheaper than Lakeland

vs $301k in Lakeland

05metro size

314k

vs 818k in Lakeland

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Lakeland has the edge here, logging 206 pleasant days a year.

Things to do run about even with Lakeland.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

44% higher than Lakeland

vs 48/100 in Lakeland

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

·walk score®

94/100

42% higher than Lakeland

vs 66/100 in Lakeland

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

87% fewer than Lakeland

vs 68 nonstops in Lakeland

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