Roanoke vs Syracuse

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 $85,185 in Syracuse.

Conversely, $75,000 in Syracuse equals $66,033 in Roanoke.

Living in Roanoke vs Syracuse

Housing Costs

Roanoke's housing index of 57 is lower Syracuse's 69, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $140,000. 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: $1,075/mo in Roanoke compared to $950/mo in Syracuse, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Roanoke and 101 in Syracuse. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Roanoke vs $480/month in Syracuse. 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 105 in Syracuse. Monthly utility bills average approximately $464 in Roanoke vs $420 in Syracuse. 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 100 in Syracuse. 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 $36,708 in Syracuse. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,062 and $39,900 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 $857/month in Syracuse. In Roanoke, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Syracuse, median rent of $950/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 12 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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