City Comparison

Midland vs Roanoke

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Midland

Texas
92
Below Average
$269,000
Median Home
$1,450/mo
Median Rent
$89,600
Median Income

Roanoke

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

The Verdict

13.6%

Living in Roanoke costs 13.6% less than Midland. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Midland, you would need $66,033 in Roanoke.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
84
Midland
57
Roanoke
Groceries
96
Midland
97
Roanoke
Utilities
99
Midland
116
Roanoke
Transportation
91
Midland
98
Roanoke
Healthcare
110
Midland
91
Roanoke

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Midland has the same purchasing power as $66,033 in Roanoke.

Conversely, $75,000 in Roanoke equals $85,185 in Midland.

Living in Midland vs Roanoke

Housing Costs

Midland's housing index of 84 is higher Roanoke's 57, translating to median home prices of $269,000 vs $225,000. The $44,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,856 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,450/mo in Midland compared to $1,075/mo in Roanoke, a monthly difference of $375.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Midland and 97 in Roanoke. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Midland 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 99 in Midland and 116 in Roanoke. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Midland 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 110 in Midland and 91 in Roanoke. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $89,600 in Midland and $52,700 in Roanoke. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $97,391 and $65,062 respectively. Midland residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,091/month to housing in Midland vs $1,230/month in Roanoke. In Midland, median rent of $1,450/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 27 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Roanoke is 13.6% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 92.
A $75,000 salary in Midland has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $66,033 in Roanoke, based on the cost of living difference.
Midland's housing index is 84 with median homes at $269,000, while Roanoke's is 57 with median homes at $225,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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