with $100k coming in, swapping out of Philadelphia

change
Roanoke, VA cityscape

instead of philadelphia

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

$576

lighter monthly cost than Philadelphia

You'd feel the difference in Roanoke. Not life-changing money, but real breathing room next to Philadelphia.
landable, recorded on the roanoke entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,382/mo

26% cheaper than Philadelphia(vs $1,869/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$89/mo less in state tax than Philadelphia

vs 6.82% in Philadelphia

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$576 more than Philadelphia

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

04a house here

$296k

25% cheaper than Philadelphia

vs $393k in Philadelphia

05metro size

314k

vs 6.2M in Philadelphia

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Philadelphia keeps to 173 pleasant days a year.

Noticeably quieter than Philadelphia. About 94% fewer events on a typical month.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

0% lower than Philadelphia

vs 69/100 in Philadelphia

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

·walk score®

94/100

6% lower than Philadelphia

vs 100/100 in Philadelphia

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

93% fewer than Philadelphia

vs 122 nonstops in Philadelphia

04 · see also

in the same ballpark as roanoke:

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