Roanoke vs Tempe
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Roanoke
Tempe
The Verdict
Roanoke is 23.6% less expensive than Tempe overall. A household earning $75,000 in Roanoke would need approximately $98,148 in Tempe 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 $98,148 in Tempe.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tempe equals $57,311 in Roanoke.
Living in Roanoke vs Tempe
Housing Costs
Roanoke's housing index of 57 is lower Tempe's 114, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $400,000. The $175,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,376 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Roanoke compared to $1,600/mo in Tempe, a monthly difference of $525.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Roanoke and 100 in Tempe. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Roanoke vs $475/month in Tempe. 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 96 in Tempe. Monthly utility bills average approximately $464 in Roanoke vs $384 in Tempe. 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 95 in Tempe. 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 $56,068 in Tempe. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,062 and $52,894 respectively. Roanoke residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,230/month to housing in Roanoke vs $1,308/month in Tempe. In Roanoke, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Tempe, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 57 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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