on $100k a year, leaving New York

change
Roanoke, VA cityscape

instead of new york

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

$2,362

lighter monthly cost than New York

Move to Roanoke and the monthly math gets easier. New York's rent is the headline; Roanoke's is a footnote.
landable, recorded on the roanoke entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,382/mo

58% cheaper than New York(vs $3,329/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$415/mo less in state tax than New York

vs 10.73% in New York

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$2,362 more than New York

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

04a house here

$296k

60% cheaper than New York

vs $739k in New York

05metro size

314k

vs 19.5M in New York

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

New York only logs 171 pleasant days.

Noticeably quieter than New York. About 100% fewer events on a typical month.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

12% lower than New York

vs 78/100 in New York

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

·walk score®

94/100

6% lower than New York

vs 100/100 in New York

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

96% fewer than New York

vs 215 nonstops in New York

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