London vs Roanoke
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
London
Roanoke
The Verdict
Roanoke is 42.0% less expensive than London overall. A household earning $75,000 in London would need approximately $52,826 in Roanoke to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in London has the same purchasing power as $52,826 in Roanoke.
Conversely, $75,000 in Roanoke equals $106,481 in London.
Living in London vs Roanoke
Housing Costs
London's housing index of 162 is higher Roanoke's 57, translating to median home prices of $695,000 vs $225,000. The $470,000 difference in home prices means roughly $30,552 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,400/mo in London compared to $1,075/mo in Roanoke, a monthly difference of $1,325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in London and 97 in Roanoke. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in London 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 112 in London and 116 in Roanoke. Monthly utility bills average approximately $448 in London vs $464 in Roanoke. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 78 in London and 91 in Roanoke. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $55,000 in London and $52,700 in Roanoke. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $47,826 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 $1,283/month to housing in London vs $1,230/month in Roanoke. In London, median rent of $2,400/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 105 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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