with $100k coming in, swapping out of Seattle

change
Roanoke, VA cityscape

instead of seattle

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

$332

cheaper each month than Seattle

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

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,382/mo

37% cheaper than Seattle(vs $2,193/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$479/mo more in state tax than Seattle

vs 0% in Seattle

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$332 more than Seattle

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

04a house here

$296k

63% cheaper than Seattle

vs $791k in Seattle

05metro size

314k

vs 4.0M in Seattle

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Seattle actually gets more: 182 pleasant days a year.

But the calendar thins out: Seattle stays 21.2× busier.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

26% lower than Seattle

vs 93/100 in Seattle

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

·walk score®

94/100

4% lower than Seattle

vs 98/100 in Seattle

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

90% fewer than Seattle

vs 90 nonstops in Seattle

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