Cambridge vs Roanoke
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Cambridge
Roanoke
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 119.8%, with Roanoke being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Cambridge has equivalent purchasing power to $34,129 in Roanoke.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Cambridge has the same purchasing power as $34,129 in Roanoke.
Conversely, $75,000 in Roanoke equals $164,815 in Cambridge.
Living in Cambridge vs Roanoke
Housing Costs
Cambridge's housing index of 280 is higher Roanoke's 57, translating to median home prices of $890,000 vs $225,000. The $665,000 difference in home prices means roughly $43,224 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $3,100/mo in Cambridge compared to $1,075/mo in Roanoke, a monthly difference of $2,025.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 110 in Cambridge and 97 in Roanoke. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $523/month in Cambridge vs $461/month in Roanoke. Roanoke offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $744/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 126 in Cambridge and 116 in Roanoke. Monthly utility bills average approximately $504 in Cambridge vs $464 in Roanoke. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 118 in Cambridge and 91 in Roanoke. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 27-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $103,154 in Cambridge and $52,700 in Roanoke. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,952 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 $2,407/month to housing in Cambridge vs $1,230/month in Roanoke. In Cambridge, median rent of $3,100/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 223 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases