City Comparison

Roanoke vs Stockholm

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Roanoke

Virginia
81
Very Affordable
$225,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$52,700
Median Income

Stockholm

Sweden
97
Average
$445,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$50,000
Median Income

The Verdict

16.5%

Living in Roanoke costs 16.5% less than Stockholm. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Roanoke, you would need $89,815 in Stockholm.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
57
Roanoke
118
Stockholm
Groceries
97
Roanoke
92
Stockholm
Utilities
116
Roanoke
88
Stockholm
Transportation
98
Roanoke
108
Stockholm
Healthcare
91
Roanoke
82
Stockholm

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Roanoke has the same purchasing power as $89,815 in Stockholm.

Conversely, $75,000 in Stockholm equals $62,629 in Roanoke.

Living in Roanoke vs Stockholm

Housing Costs

Roanoke's housing index of 57 is lower Stockholm's 118, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $445,000. The $220,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,304 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Roanoke compared to $1,500/mo in Stockholm, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Roanoke and 92 in Stockholm. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Roanoke vs $437/month in Stockholm. 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 116 in Roanoke and 88 in Stockholm. Monthly utility bills average approximately $464 in Roanoke vs $352 in Stockholm. 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 91 in Roanoke and 82 in Stockholm. 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 $52,700 in Roanoke and $50,000 in Stockholm. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,062 and $51,546 respectively. Roanoke residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,230/month to housing in Roanoke vs $1,167/month in Stockholm. In Roanoke, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Stockholm, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. 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

Roanoke is 16.5% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 97.
A $75,000 salary in Roanoke has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $89,815 in Stockholm, based on the cost of living difference.
Roanoke's housing index is 57 with median homes at $225,000, while Stockholm's is 118 with median homes at $445,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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