Orlando vs Roanoke
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Orlando
Roanoke
The Verdict
Living in Roanoke costs 23.5% less than Orlando. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Orlando, you would need $60,750 in Roanoke.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Orlando has the same purchasing power as $60,750 in Roanoke.
Conversely, $75,000 in Roanoke equals $92,593 in Orlando.
Living in Orlando vs Roanoke
Housing Costs
Orlando's housing index of 104 is higher Roanoke's 57, translating to median home prices of $320,000 vs $225,000. The $95,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,180 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,650/mo in Orlando compared to $1,075/mo in Roanoke, a monthly difference of $575.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 103 in Orlando and 97 in Roanoke. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Orlando vs $461/month in Roanoke. Roanoke offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Orlando and 116 in Roanoke. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Orlando 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 Orlando 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 $48,080 in Orlando and $52,700 in Roanoke. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $48,080 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 $1,122/month to housing in Orlando vs $1,230/month in Roanoke. In Orlando, median rent of $1,650/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 47 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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