Raleigh vs Roanoke
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Raleigh
Roanoke
💡 The Verdict
Raleigh is 4% cheaper than Roanoke overall. A $75,000 salary in Raleigh is equivalent to $77,941 in Roanoke.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Raleigh (left) vs Roanoke (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Raleigh versus Roanoke. Differences shown from Raleigh perspective.
| Item | Raleigh | Roanoke | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $1,010/mo | $1,190/mo | $-180.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,500/mo | $1,520/mo | $-20.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,950/mo | $1,970/mo | $-20.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.89 | $2.78 | +$0.11 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.88 | $4.12 | $-0.24 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.31 | $3.34 | $-0.03 |
| Coffee (latte) | $5.93 | $6.42 | $-0.49 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.37 | $3.28 | +$0.09 |
| Restaurant Meal | $18.36 | $18.80 | $-0.44 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Raleigh has the same purchasing power as $77,941 in Roanoke.
Conversely, $75,000 in Roanoke equals $72,170 in Raleigh.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $300 difference is driven by Virginia having a higher state income tax rate. North Carolina details → · Virginia details →
Reading These Numbers: Raleigh (102) vs Roanoke (106)
Raleigh at 102 is 2% above the US average, while Roanoke at 106 is 6% above average. The cost difference between these cities is relatively modest.
In Raleigh, the composite index of 102 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 107, followed by groceries (100), utilities (94), transportation (100), and healthcare (108). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,500/mo in Raleigh and $1,520/mo in Roanoke, the annual rent difference is approximately $240.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $1,200.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $34,000.0 difference in median home prices between Raleigh and Roanoke translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Raleigh vs Roanoke
Choosing between Raleigh and Roanoke involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
Long-term affordability in Raleigh versus Roanoke depends partly on cost trajectory. Cities experiencing rapid population growth tend to see costs rise faster than established metros where supply has caught up with demand. While our index captures current conditions, consider whether the city trending cheaper today might converge toward average over the next five to ten years as more people discover it. Our quarterly updates help track these shifts over time.