$100k salary, packing up from New Orleans

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Roanoke, VA cityscape

next stop after new orleans

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

$1

under New Orleans, every month

A near-tie on cost. What separates Roanoke is the life around the numbers.
landable, recorded on the roanoke entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,382/mo

14% cheaper than New Orleans(vs $1,612/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$229/mo more in state tax than New Orleans

vs 3% in New Orleans

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$1 more than New Orleans

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

04a house here

$296k

14% more expensive than New Orleans

vs $259k in New Orleans

05metro size

314k

vs 962k in New Orleans

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

New Orleans has the edge here, logging 235 pleasant days a year.

Noticeably quieter than New Orleans. About 88% fewer events on a typical month.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

25% higher than New Orleans

vs 55/100 in New Orleans

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

·walk score®

94/100

4% lower than New Orleans

vs 98/100 in New Orleans

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

77% fewer than New Orleans

vs 39 nonstops in New Orleans

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