City Comparison

Chandler vs Roanoke

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Chandler

Arizona
110
Above Average
$450,000
Median Home
$1,650/mo
Median Rent
$88,234
Median Income

Roanoke

Virginia
81
Very Affordable
$225,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$52,700
Median Income

The Verdict

35.8%

Roanoke is 35.8% less expensive than Chandler overall. A household earning $75,000 in Chandler would need approximately $55,227 in Roanoke to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
126
Chandler
57
Roanoke
Groceries
100
Chandler
97
Roanoke
Utilities
96
Chandler
116
Roanoke
Transportation
103
Chandler
98
Roanoke
Healthcare
95
Chandler
91
Roanoke

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Chandler has the same purchasing power as $55,227 in Roanoke.

Conversely, $75,000 in Roanoke equals $101,852 in Chandler.

Living in Chandler vs Roanoke

Housing Costs

Chandler's housing index of 126 is higher Roanoke's 57, translating to median home prices of $450,000 vs $225,000. The $225,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,628 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,650/mo in Chandler compared to $1,075/mo in Roanoke, a monthly difference of $575.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Chandler and 97 in Roanoke. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Chandler vs $461/month in Roanoke. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in Chandler and 116 in Roanoke. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Chandler 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 95 in Chandler 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 $88,234 in Chandler and $52,700 in Roanoke. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $80,213 and $65,062 respectively. Chandler residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,059/month to housing in Chandler vs $1,230/month in Roanoke. In Chandler, median rent of $1,650/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 Housing, where the gap is 69 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Roanoke is 35.8% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 110.
A $75,000 salary in Chandler has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $55,227 in Roanoke, based on the cost of living difference.
Chandler's housing index is 126 with median homes at $450,000, while Roanoke's is 57 with median homes at $225,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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