with $100k coming in, swapping out of Montgomery

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Roanoke, VA cityscape

swapping out of montgomery

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

$69

the monthly premium over Montgomery

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

0% more expensive than Montgomery(vs $1,376/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$63/mo more in state tax than Montgomery

vs 5% in Montgomery

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$69 less than Montgomery

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

04a house here

$296k

40% more expensive than Montgomery

vs $212k in Montgomery

05metro size

314k

vs 385k in Montgomery

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Montgomery actually gets more: 181 pleasant days a year.

Montgomery hosts 2.7× more events.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

57% higher than Montgomery

vs 44/100 in Montgomery

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

·walk score®

94/100

54% higher than Montgomery

vs 61/100 in Montgomery

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

200% more than Montgomery

vs 3 nonstops in Montgomery

04 · see also

neighbors of roanoke on the map of tradeoffs:

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