on $100k a year, leaving Louisville

change
Roanoke, VA cityscape

from louisville

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

$118

pricier each month than Louisville

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

1% more expensive than Louisville(vs $1,368/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$104/mo more in state tax than Louisville

vs 4.5% in Louisville

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$118 less than Louisville

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

04a house here

$296k

5% more expensive than Louisville

vs $282k in Louisville

05metro size

314k

vs 1.4M in Louisville

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Louisville has the edge here, logging 181 pleasant days a year.

87% fewer events than Louisville. The pace eases up.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

28% higher than Louisville

vs 54/100 in Louisville

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

·walk score®

94/100

0% lower than Louisville

vs 94/100 in Louisville

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

59% fewer than Louisville

vs 22 nonstops in Louisville

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