on $100k a year, leaving Salisbury

change
Roanoke, VA cityscape

if you left salisbury

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

$721

lighter monthly cost than Salisbury

Roanoke gives you room Salisbury doesn't. Same gross salary, lower monthly cost of living.
landable, recorded on the roanoke entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,382/mo

27% cheaper than Salisbury(vs $1,899/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$204/mo less in state tax than Salisbury

vs 8.2% in Salisbury

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$721 more than Salisbury

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

04a house here

$296k

29% cheaper than Salisbury

vs $420k in Salisbury

05metro size

314k

vs 130k in Salisbury

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Salisbury edges ahead with 189 pleasant days.

A similar weekend lineup to Salisbury.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

30% higher than Salisbury

vs 53/100 in Salisbury

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

·walk score®

94/100

15% higher than Salisbury

vs 82/100 in Salisbury

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

350% more than Salisbury

vs 2 nonstops in Salisbury

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