on $100k a year, leaving Lansing

change
Roanoke, VA cityscape

swapping out of lansing

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

$248

pricier each month than Lansing

You'd pay for Roanoke. The question is whether the days are worth the difference.
landable, recorded on the roanoke entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,382/mo

10% more expensive than Lansing(vs $1,259/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$125/mo more in state tax than Lansing

vs 4.25% in Lansing

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$248 less than Lansing

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

04a house here

$296k

22% more expensive than Lansing

vs $244k in Lansing

05metro size

314k

vs 473k in Lansing

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Lansing keeps to 153 pleasant days a year.

Noticeably quieter than Lansing. About 33% fewer events on a typical month.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

21% higher than Lansing

vs 57/100 in Lansing

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

·walk score®

94/100

18% higher than Lansing

vs 80/100 in Lansing

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

50% more than Lansing

vs 6 nonstops in Lansing

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