same $100k income, fresh start from Ocala

change
Roanoke, VA cityscape

instead of ocala

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

$245

more expensive each month than Ocala

Roanoke costs meaningfully more. Whether it earns that back in the day-to-day is the actual question.
landable, recorded on the roanoke entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,382/mo

14% cheaper than Ocala(vs $1,616/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$479/mo more in state tax than Ocala

vs 0% in Ocala

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$245 less than Ocala

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

04a house here

$296k

7% more expensive than Ocala

vs $277k in Ocala

05metro size

314k

vs 410k in Ocala

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Ocala actually gets more: 208 pleasant days a year.

12.0× the events of Ocala, and the calendar shows it.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

11% higher than Ocala

vs 62/100 in Ocala

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

·walk score®

94/100

49% higher than Ocala

vs 63/100 in Ocala

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

80% more than Ocala

vs 5 nonstops in Ocala

04 · see also

cities that play in roanoke's register:

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