City Comparison

Las Vegas vs Roanoke

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Las Vegas

Nevada
101
Average
$350,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$56,415
Median Income

Roanoke

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

The Verdict

24.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 24.7%, with Roanoke being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Las Vegas has equivalent purchasing power to $60,149 in Roanoke.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
106
Las Vegas
57
Roanoke
Groceries
101
Las Vegas
97
Roanoke
Utilities
94
Las Vegas
116
Roanoke
Transportation
107
Las Vegas
98
Roanoke
Healthcare
96
Las Vegas
91
Roanoke

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Las Vegas has the same purchasing power as $60,149 in Roanoke.

Conversely, $75,000 in Roanoke equals $93,519 in Las Vegas.

Living in Las Vegas vs Roanoke

Housing Costs

Las Vegas's housing index of 106 is higher Roanoke's 57, translating to median home prices of $350,000 vs $225,000. The $125,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,124 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Las Vegas compared to $1,075/mo in Roanoke, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Las Vegas and 97 in Roanoke. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Las Vegas 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 94 in Las Vegas and 116 in Roanoke. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Las Vegas 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 96 in Las Vegas 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 $56,415 in Las Vegas and $52,700 in Roanoke. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,856 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 $1,316/month to housing in Las Vegas vs $1,230/month in Roanoke. In Las Vegas, median rent of $1,400/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 49 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Roanoke is 24.7% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 101.
A $75,000 salary in Las Vegas has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $60,149 in Roanoke, based on the cost of living difference.
Las Vegas's housing index is 106 with median homes at $350,000, while Roanoke's is 57 with median homes at $225,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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