Roanoke vs Wilmington
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Roanoke
Wilmington
The Verdict
Living in Roanoke costs 22.1% less than Wilmington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Roanoke, you would need $96,296 in Wilmington.
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 $96,296 in Wilmington.
Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $58,413 in Roanoke.
Living in Roanoke vs Wilmington
Housing Costs
Roanoke's housing index of 57 is lower Wilmington's 104, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $235,000. The $10,000 difference in home prices means roughly $648 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Roanoke compared to $1,200/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Roanoke and 103 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Roanoke vs $489/month in Wilmington. Roanoke offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 116 in Roanoke and 106 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $464 in Roanoke vs $424 in Wilmington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 91 in Roanoke and 106 in Wilmington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $46,520 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,062 and $44,731 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 $1,085/month in Wilmington. In Roanoke, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 47 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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