City Comparison

Roanoke vs Tyler

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Roanoke

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

Tyler

Texas
85
Very Affordable
$250,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$54,800
Median Income

The Verdict

4.7%

Living in Roanoke costs 4.7% less than Tyler. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Roanoke, you would need $78,704 in Tyler.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
57
Roanoke
69
Tyler
Groceries
97
Roanoke
96
Tyler
Utilities
116
Roanoke
97
Tyler
Transportation
98
Roanoke
92
Tyler
Healthcare
91
Roanoke
93
Tyler

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Roanoke has the same purchasing power as $78,704 in Tyler.

Conversely, $75,000 in Tyler equals $71,471 in Roanoke.

Living in Roanoke vs Tyler

Housing Costs

Roanoke's housing index of 57 is lower Tyler's 69, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $250,000. The $25,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,620 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Roanoke compared to $1,075/mo in Tyler, a monthly difference of $0.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Roanoke and 96 in Tyler. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Roanoke vs $456/month in Tyler. 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 97 in Tyler. Monthly utility bills average approximately $464 in Roanoke vs $388 in Tyler. 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 93 in Tyler. 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 $54,800 in Tyler. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,062 and $64,471 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 $1,279/month in Tyler. In Roanoke, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Tyler, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 19 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Roanoke is 4.7% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 85.
A $75,000 salary in Roanoke has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $78,704 in Tyler, based on the cost of living difference.
Roanoke's housing index is 57 with median homes at $225,000, while Tyler's is 69 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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