with $100k coming in, swapping out of Little Rock

change
Roanoke, VA cityscape

if you left little rock

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

$286

the monthly premium over Little Rock

Roanoke costs more than Little Rock, and you'll feel it. The upside has to come from somewhere other than your budget.
landable, recorded on the roanoke entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,382/mo

14% more expensive than Little Rock(vs $1,209/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$113/mo more in state tax than Little Rock

vs 4.4% in Little Rock

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$286 less than Little Rock

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

04a house here

$296k

30% more expensive than Little Rock

vs $228k in Little Rock

05metro size

314k

vs 765k in Little Rock

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Little Rock only logs 163 pleasant days.

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

69/100

28% higher than Little Rock

vs 54/100 in Little Rock

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

·walk score®

94/100

92% higher than Little Rock

vs 49/100 in Little Rock

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

47% fewer than Little Rock

vs 17 nonstops in Little Rock

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