New Haven vs Roanoke
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
New Haven
Roanoke
The Verdict
Living in Roanoke costs 45.7% less than New Haven. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in New Haven, you would need $51,483 in Roanoke.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in New Haven has the same purchasing power as $51,483 in Roanoke.
Conversely, $75,000 in Roanoke equals $109,259 in New Haven.
Living in New Haven vs Roanoke
Housing Costs
New Haven's housing index of 137 is higher Roanoke's 57, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $225,000. The $25,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,620 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in New Haven compared to $1,075/mo in Roanoke, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in New Haven and 97 in Roanoke. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in New Haven vs $461/month in Roanoke. Roanoke offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 124 in New Haven and 116 in Roanoke. Monthly utility bills average approximately $496 in New Haven vs $464 in Roanoke. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 114 in New Haven and 91 in Roanoke. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 23-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $42,158 in New Haven and $52,700 in Roanoke. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $35,727 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 $984/month to housing in New Haven vs $1,230/month in Roanoke. In New Haven, 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 80 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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