Providence vs Roanoke
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Providence
Roanoke
The Verdict
Roanoke is 35.8% less expensive than Providence overall. A household earning $75,000 in Providence would need approximately $55,227 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 Providence has the same purchasing power as $55,227 in Roanoke.
Conversely, $75,000 in Roanoke equals $101,852 in Providence.
Living in Providence vs Roanoke
Housing Costs
Providence's housing index of 118 is higher Roanoke's 57, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $225,000. The $85,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,520 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Providence compared to $1,075/mo in Roanoke, a monthly difference of $425.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 105 in Providence and 97 in Roanoke. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Providence 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 119 in Providence and 116 in Roanoke. Monthly utility bills average approximately $476 in Providence vs $464 in Roanoke. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 112 in Providence 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 $47,012 in Providence and $52,700 in Roanoke. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $42,738 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 $1,097/month to housing in Providence vs $1,230/month in Roanoke. In Providence, median rent of $1,500/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 61 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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