with $100k coming in, swapping out of Salinas

change
Roanoke, VA cityscape

next stop after salinas

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

$1,727

lighter monthly cost than Salinas

In Roanoke, rent stops being the headline. The cost gap shows up every month without you trying.
landable, recorded on the roanoke entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,382/mo

51% cheaper than Salinas(vs $2,813/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$296/mo less in state tax than Salinas

vs 9.3% in Salinas

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$1,727 more than Salinas

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

04a house here

$296k

66% cheaper than Salinas

vs $862k in Salinas

05metro size

314k

vs 431k in Salinas

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Salinas edges ahead with 335 pleasant days.

·outdoorscore

69/100

3% lower than Salinas

vs 71/100 in Salinas

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

·walk score®

94/100

19% higher than Salinas

vs 79/100 in Salinas

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

50% more than Salinas

vs 6 nonstops in Salinas

04 · see also

neighbors of roanoke on the map of tradeoffs:

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