on $100k a year, leaving Tampa

change
Roanoke, VA cityscape

instead of tampa

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

$135

lighter monthly cost than Tampa

A near-tie on cost. What separates Roanoke is the life around the numbers.
landable, recorded on the roanoke entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,382/mo

31% cheaper than Tampa(vs $1,996/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$479/mo more in state tax than Tampa

vs 0% in Tampa

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$135 more than Tampa

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

04a house here

$296k

21% cheaper than Tampa

vs $374k in Tampa

05metro size

314k

vs 3.3M in Tampa

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Tampa edges ahead with 243 pleasant days.

Tampa hosts 4.0× more events.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

11% higher than Tampa

vs 62/100 in Tampa

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

·walk score®

94/100

2% higher than Tampa

vs 92/100 in Tampa

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

87% fewer than Tampa

vs 68 nonstops in Tampa

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