$100k salary, packing up from Manchester

change
Roanoke, VA cityscape

from manchester

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

$231

less monthly outlay than Manchester

The gap is real. Roanoke costs noticeably less than Manchester, every month.
landable, recorded on the roanoke entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,382/mo

34% cheaper than Manchester(vs $2,092/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$479/mo more in state tax than Manchester

vs 0% in Manchester

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$231 more than Manchester

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

04a house here

$296k

46% cheaper than Manchester

vs $548k in Manchester

05metro size

314k

vs 427k in Manchester

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Manchester only manages 154 of those.

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

69/100

11% higher than Manchester

vs 62/100 in Manchester

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

·walk score®

94/100

4% lower than Manchester

vs 98/100 in Manchester

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

31% fewer than Manchester

vs 13 nonstops in Manchester

04 · see also

if roanoke appeals, also worth a look:

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