with $100k coming in, swapping out of Phoenix

change
Roanoke, VA cityscape

from phoenix

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

$86

below Phoenix's monthly cost

Cost barely budges between Roanoke and Phoenix. Pick this one for the texture of the days, not the math.
landable, recorded on the roanoke entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,382/mo

21% cheaper than Phoenix(vs $1,739/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$271/mo more in state tax than Phoenix

vs 2.5% in Phoenix

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$86 more than Phoenix

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

04a house here

$296k

35% cheaper than Phoenix

vs $458k in Phoenix

05metro size

314k

vs 5.1M in Phoenix

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Phoenix actually gets more: 181 pleasant days a year.

94% fewer events than Phoenix. The pace eases up.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

5% higher than Phoenix

vs 66/100 in Phoenix

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

·walk score®

94/100

3% lower than Phoenix

vs 97/100 in Phoenix

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

90% fewer than Phoenix

vs 91 nonstops in Phoenix

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