on $100k a year, leaving Portland

change
Roanoke, VA cityscape

from portland

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.

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01 · the verdict

the verdict

$1,049

lighter monthly cost than Portland

Roanoke runs on a fraction of Portland's budget. Same paycheck, real lifestyle upgrade.
landable, recorded on the roanoke entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,382/mo

40% cheaper than Portland(vs $2,285/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$146/mo less in state tax than Portland

vs 7.5% in Portland

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$1,049 more than Portland

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

04a house here

$296k

45% cheaper than Portland

vs $543k in Portland

05metro size

314k

vs 566k in Portland

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Portland keeps to 145 pleasant days a year.

But the calendar thins out: Portland stays 2.6× busier.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

3% lower than Portland

vs 71/100 in Portland

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

·walk score®

94/100

4% lower than Portland

vs 98/100 in Portland

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

350% more than Portland

vs 2 nonstops in Portland

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