City Comparison

Cheyenne vs Roanoke

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Cheyenne

Wyoming
95
Below Average
$280,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$57,834
Median Income

Roanoke

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

The Verdict

17.3%

Living in Roanoke costs 17.3% less than Cheyenne. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Cheyenne, you would need $63,947 in Roanoke.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
85
Cheyenne
57
Roanoke
Groceries
98
Cheyenne
97
Roanoke
Utilities
90
Cheyenne
116
Roanoke
Transportation
98
Cheyenne
98
Roanoke
Healthcare
100
Cheyenne
91
Roanoke

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Cheyenne has the same purchasing power as $63,947 in Roanoke.

Conversely, $75,000 in Roanoke equals $87,963 in Cheyenne.

Living in Cheyenne vs Roanoke

Housing Costs

Cheyenne's housing index of 85 is higher Roanoke's 57, translating to median home prices of $280,000 vs $225,000. The $55,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,576 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Cheyenne compared to $1,075/mo in Roanoke, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Cheyenne and 97 in Roanoke. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Cheyenne 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 90 in Cheyenne and 116 in Roanoke. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Cheyenne 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 100 in Cheyenne and 91 in Roanoke. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $57,834 in Cheyenne and $52,700 in Roanoke. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,878 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 $1,349/month to housing in Cheyenne vs $1,230/month in Roanoke. In Cheyenne, median rent of $1,100/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 28 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Roanoke is 17.3% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Cheyenne has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $63,947 in Roanoke, based on the cost of living difference.
Cheyenne's housing index is 85 with median homes at $280,000, while Roanoke's is 57 with median homes at $225,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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