Manchester vs Roanoke
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Manchester
Roanoke
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 45.7%, with Roanoke being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Manchester has equivalent purchasing power to $51,483 in Roanoke.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Manchester has the same purchasing power as $51,483 in Roanoke.
Conversely, $75,000 in Roanoke equals $109,259 in Manchester.
Living in Manchester vs Roanoke
Housing Costs
Manchester's housing index of 140 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: $1,600/mo in Manchester compared to $1,075/mo in Roanoke, a monthly difference of $525.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 105 in Manchester and 97 in Roanoke. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Manchester vs $461/month in Roanoke. Roanoke offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 114 in Manchester and 116 in Roanoke. Monthly utility bills average approximately $456 in Manchester vs $464 in Roanoke. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 112 in Manchester and 91 in Roanoke. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 21-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $65,018 in Manchester and $52,700 in Roanoke. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,100 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 $1,517/month to housing in Manchester vs $1,230/month in Roanoke. In Manchester, median rent of $1,600/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 83 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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