on $100k a year, leaving Trenton

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Roanoke, VA cityscape

from trenton

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

$1,209

under Trenton, 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

46% cheaper than Trenton(vs $2,540/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$52/mo less in state tax than Trenton

vs 6.37% in Trenton

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$1,209 more than Trenton

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

04a house here

$296k

35% cheaper than Trenton

vs $456k in Trenton

05metro size

314k

vs 382k in Trenton

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Trenton keeps to 171 pleasant days a year.

On par with Trenton for events and shows.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

3% lower than Trenton

vs 71/100 in Trenton

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

·walk score®

94/100

7% higher than Trenton

vs 88/100 in Trenton

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

93% fewer than Trenton

vs 123 nonstops in Trenton

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