on $100k a year, leaving Lancaster

change
Roanoke, VA cityscape

swapping out of lancaster

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.

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01 · the verdict

the verdict

$89

more each month than Lancaster ran you

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 Lancaster(vs $1,517/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$223/mo more in state tax than Lancaster

vs 3.07% in Lancaster

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$89 less than Lancaster

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

04a house here

$296k

23% cheaper than Lancaster

vs $384k in Lancaster

05metro size

314k

vs 559k in Lancaster

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Lancaster keeps to 158 pleasant days a year.

A similar weekend lineup to Lancaster.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

10% higher than Lancaster

vs 63/100 in Lancaster

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

·walk score®

94/100

3% lower than Lancaster

vs 97/100 in Lancaster

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

800% more than Lancaster

vs 1 nonstops in Lancaster

04 · see also

neighbors of roanoke on the map of tradeoffs:

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