Abilene vs Roanoke
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Abilene
Roanoke
The Verdict
Abilene is 1.2% less expensive than Roanoke overall. A household earning $75,000 in Abilene would need approximately $75,938 in Roanoke to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Abilene has the same purchasing power as $75,938 in Roanoke.
Conversely, $75,000 in Roanoke equals $74,074 in Abilene.
Living in Abilene vs Roanoke
Housing Costs
Abilene's housing index of 58 is higher Roanoke's 57, translating to median home prices of $179,000 vs $225,000. The $46,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,988 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Abilene compared to $1,075/mo in Roanoke, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 91 in Abilene and 97 in Roanoke. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Abilene vs $461/month in Roanoke. Abilene offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Abilene and 116 in Roanoke. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Abilene vs $464 in Roanoke. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Abilene and 91 in Roanoke. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $62,600 in Abilene and $52,700 in Roanoke. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $78,250 and $65,062 respectively. Abilene residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,461/month to housing in Abilene vs $1,230/month in Roanoke. In Abilene, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Roanoke, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 19 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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