with $100k coming in, swapping out of Richmond

change
Roanoke, VA cityscape

instead of richmond

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

$309

cheaper each month than Richmond

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

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,382/mo

18% cheaper than Richmond(vs $1,691/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

vs 5.75% in Richmond

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$309 more than Richmond

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

04a house here

$296k

25% cheaper than Richmond

vs $394k in Richmond

05metro size

314k

vs 1.4M in Richmond

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Richmond barely cracks 172 pleasant ones.

Richmond hosts 4.8× more events.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

6% higher than Richmond

vs 65/100 in Richmond

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

·walk score®

94/100

36% higher than Richmond

vs 69/100 in Richmond

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

53% fewer than Richmond

vs 19 nonstops in Richmond

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