$100k a year, no longer in Lincoln

change
Roanoke, VA cityscape

next stop after lincoln

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

$64

the monthly cost of moving past Lincoln

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

5% more expensive than Lincoln(vs $1,311/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$7/mo less in state tax than Lincoln

vs 5.84% in Lincoln

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$64 less than Lincoln

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

04a house here

$296k

2% cheaper than Lincoln

vs $302k in Lincoln

05metro size

314k

vs 344k in Lincoln

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Lincoln keeps to 152 pleasant days a year.

But the calendar thins out: Lincoln stays 2.1× busier.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

30% higher than Lincoln

vs 53/100 in Lincoln

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

·walk score®

94/100

25% higher than Lincoln

vs 75/100 in Lincoln

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

200% more than Lincoln

vs 3 nonstops in Lincoln

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