$100k a year, no longer in Minneapolis

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Roanoke, VA cityscape

from minneapolis

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

$472

under Minneapolis, every month

Roanoke is the easier version of your monthly budget. Lower rent, lighter monthly outlay.
landable, recorded on the roanoke entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,382/mo

18% cheaper than Minneapolis(vs $1,679/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$175/mo less in state tax than Minneapolis

vs 7.85% in Minneapolis

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$472 more than Minneapolis

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

04a house here

$296k

26% cheaper than Minneapolis

vs $398k in Minneapolis

05metro size

314k

vs 3.7M in Minneapolis

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Minneapolis keeps to 147 pleasant days a year.

Lighter on events: Minneapolis packs 13.1× more into a month.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

9% lower than Minneapolis

vs 76/100 in Minneapolis

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

·walk score®

94/100

1% higher than Minneapolis

vs 93/100 in Minneapolis

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

93% fewer than Minneapolis

vs 130 nonstops in Minneapolis

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