Houston vs Roanoke
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Houston
Roanoke
💡 The Verdict
Houston is 9% cheaper than Roanoke overall. A $75,000 salary in Houston is equivalent to $82,812 in Roanoke.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Houston (left) vs Roanoke (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Houston versus Roanoke. Differences shown from Houston perspective.
| Item | Houston | Roanoke | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $1,020/mo | $1,190/mo | $-170.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,400/mo | $1,520/mo | $-120.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,920/mo | $1,970/mo | $-50.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.51 | $2.78 | $-0.27 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.58 | $4.12 | $-0.54 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.08 | $3.34 | $-0.26 |
| Coffee (latte) | $5.55 | $6.42 | $-0.87 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.49 | $3.28 | +$0.21 |
| Restaurant Meal | $13.18 | $18.80 | $-5.62 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Houston has the same purchasing power as $82,812 in Roanoke.
Conversely, $75,000 in Roanoke equals $67,925 in Houston.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $3751 difference is driven by Virginia having a higher state income tax rate. Texas details → · Virginia details →
Reading These Numbers: Houston (96) vs Roanoke (106)
Houston at 96 is 4% below the US average, while Roanoke at 106 is 6% above average. The cost difference between these cities is relatively modest.
In Houston, the composite index of 96 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 89, followed by groceries (94), utilities (97), transportation (108), and healthcare (96). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,400/mo in Houston and $1,520/mo in Roanoke, the annual rent difference is approximately $1,440.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $7,200.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $86,000.0 difference in median home prices between Houston and Roanoke translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Houston vs Roanoke
Choosing between Houston and Roanoke involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
Long-term affordability in Houston versus Roanoke depends partly on cost trajectory. Cities experiencing rapid population growth tend to see costs rise faster than established metros where supply has caught up with demand. While our index captures current conditions, consider whether the city trending cheaper today might converge toward average over the next five to ten years as more people discover it. Our quarterly updates help track these shifts over time.