Plano vs Roanoke
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Plano
Roanoke
The Verdict
Roanoke is 34.6% less expensive than Plano overall. A household earning $75,000 in Plano would need approximately $55,734 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 Plano has the same purchasing power as $55,734 in Roanoke.
Conversely, $75,000 in Roanoke equals $100,926 in Plano.
Living in Plano vs Roanoke
Housing Costs
Plano's housing index of 123 is higher Roanoke's 57, translating to median home prices of $400,000 vs $225,000. The $175,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,376 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,700/mo in Plano compared to $1,075/mo in Roanoke, a monthly difference of $625.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Plano and 97 in Roanoke. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Plano 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 Plano and 116 in Roanoke. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Plano 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 100 in Plano and 91 in Roanoke. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $96,348 in Plano and $52,700 in Roanoke. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,393 and $65,062 respectively. Plano residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,248/month to housing in Plano vs $1,230/month in Roanoke. In Plano, median rent of $1,700/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 66 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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