$100k a year, no longer in Santa Maria

change
Roanoke, VA cityscape

from santa maria

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

in our guides

#6

of 10

Affordable cities for outdoor lovers

read the guide
#9

of 10

Best affordable cities to live car-free

read the guide
#4

of 10

Best cities for retirees who love the outdoors

read the guide
#7

of 10

Best cities for families

read the guide
#8

of 10

Best cities for families who love the outdoors

read the guide
#8

of 10

Best cities for mild four-season weather

read the guide
#9

of 10

Best cities to leave Los Angeles for

read the guide
#5

of 10

Affordable alternatives to Denver

read the guide
#9

of 10

Best cities to live in the South

read the guide
#6

of 10

Best small cities to live in

read the guide
#8

of 10

Best cities on the East Coast

read the guide
#10

of 10

Best cities for a $75k salary

read the guide
#7

of 10

Best cities to buy a home

read the guide
#9

of 10

Best cities to leave Nashville for

read the guide
#7

of 10

Affordable alternatives to Nashville

read the guide
#10

of 10

Best cities to leave DC for

read the guide
#7

of 10

Best cities for a $60k salary

read the guide
#2

of 10

Affordable alternatives to Boise

read the guide

01 · the verdict

the verdict

$2,266

under Santa Maria, every month

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

59% cheaper than Santa Maria(vs $3,352/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$296/mo less in state tax than Santa Maria

vs 9.3% in Santa Maria

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$2,266 more than Santa Maria

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

04a house here

$296k

72% cheaper than Santa Maria

vs $1059k in Santa Maria

05metro size

314k

vs 441k in Santa Maria

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Santa Maria has the edge here, logging 337 pleasant days a year.

·outdoorscore

69/100

17% higher than Santa Maria

vs 59/100 in Santa Maria

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

·walk score®

94/100

8% higher than Santa Maria

vs 87/100 in Santa Maria

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

350% more than Santa Maria

vs 2 nonstops in Santa Maria

04 · see also

if roanoke appeals, also worth a look:

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