on $100k a year, leaving San Luis Obispo

change
Roanoke, VA cityscape

from san luis obispo

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

$2,009

lighter monthly cost than San Luis Obispo

Roanoke sits well below San Luis Obispo on cost. Same paycheck, a noticeably lighter month.
landable, recorded on the roanoke entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,382/mo

55% cheaper than San Luis Obispo(vs $3,095/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$296/mo less in state tax than San Luis Obispo

vs 9.3% in San Luis Obispo

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$2,009 more than San Luis Obispo

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

04a house here

$296k

68% cheaper than San Luis Obispo

vs $934k in San Luis Obispo

05metro size

314k

vs 282k in San Luis Obispo

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

San Luis Obispo edges ahead with 303 pleasant days.

Comparable to San Luis Obispo for events and concerts.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

1% higher than San Luis Obispo

vs 68/100 in San Luis Obispo

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

·walk score®

94/100

4% lower than San Luis Obispo

vs 98/100 in San Luis Obispo

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

200% more than San Luis Obispo

vs 3 nonstops in San Luis Obispo

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