Burlington vs Roanoke
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Burlington
Roanoke
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 45.7%, with Roanoke being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Burlington has equivalent purchasing power to $51,483 in Roanoke.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Burlington has the same purchasing power as $51,483 in Roanoke.
Conversely, $75,000 in Roanoke equals $109,259 in Burlington.
Living in Burlington vs Roanoke
Housing Costs
Burlington's housing index of 139 is higher Roanoke's 57, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $225,000. The $155,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,080 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Burlington compared to $1,075/mo in Roanoke, a monthly difference of $725.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Burlington and 97 in Roanoke. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Burlington vs $461/month in Roanoke. Roanoke offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 115 in Burlington and 116 in Roanoke. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Burlington vs $464 in Roanoke. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 116 in Burlington and 91 in Roanoke. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 25-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $51,098 in Burlington and $52,700 in Roanoke. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,303 and $65,062 respectively. Roanoke residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,192/month to housing in Burlington vs $1,230/month in Roanoke. In Burlington, median rent of $1,800/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Roanoke, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 82 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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