Reno vs Roanoke
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Reno
Roanoke
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 37.0%, with Roanoke being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Reno has equivalent purchasing power to $54,730 in Roanoke.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Reno has the same purchasing power as $54,730 in Roanoke.
Conversely, $75,000 in Roanoke equals $102,778 in Reno.
Living in Reno vs Roanoke
Housing Costs
Reno's housing index of 133 is higher Roanoke's 57, translating to median home prices of $450,000 vs $225,000. The $225,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,628 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,600/mo in Reno compared to $1,075/mo in Roanoke, a monthly difference of $525.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 102 in Reno and 97 in Roanoke. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Reno 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 93 in Reno and 116 in Roanoke. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Reno 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 Reno 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 $61,648 in Reno and $52,700 in Roanoke. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,539 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 $1,438/month to housing in Reno vs $1,230/month in Roanoke. In Reno, median rent of $1,600/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 76 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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