Roanoke vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Roanoke
Surprise
The Verdict
Roanoke is 21.4% less expensive than Surprise overall. A household earning $75,000 in Roanoke would need approximately $95,370 in Surprise 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 Roanoke has the same purchasing power as $95,370 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $58,981 in Roanoke.
Living in Roanoke vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Roanoke's housing index of 57 is lower Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $419,000. The $194,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,612 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Roanoke compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $500.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Roanoke and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Roanoke vs $475/month in Surprise. 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 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $464 in Roanoke vs $408 in Surprise. 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 97 in Surprise. 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 $52,700 in Roanoke and $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,062 and $83,010 respectively. Surprise residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,230/month to housing in Roanoke vs $1,995/month in Surprise. In Roanoke, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 48 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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