$100k salary, packing up from Worcester

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Roanoke, VA cityscape

next stop after worcester

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

$695

below Worcester's monthly cost

The gap is real. Roanoke costs noticeably less than Worcester, every month.
landable, recorded on the roanoke entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,382/mo

35% cheaper than Worcester(vs $2,140/mo)

02state income tax

5.75%

$63/mo more in state tax than Worcester

vs 5% in Worcester

03after rent

$6,472/mo

$695 more than Worcester

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

04a house here

$296k

39% cheaper than Worcester

vs $486k in Worcester

05metro size

314k

vs 867k in Worcester

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

179

pleasant days a year, in roanoke.

Worcester only manages 148 of those.

But the calendar thins out: Worcester stays 2.5× busier.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

69/100

17% higher than Worcester

vs 59/100 in Worcester

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

·walk score®

94/100

4% higher than Worcester

vs 90/100 in Worcester

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

9

350% more than Worcester

vs 2 nonstops in Worcester

04 · see also

cities that play in roanoke's register:

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