Roanoke vs Wilmington
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Roanoke
Wilmington
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 21.4%, with Roanoke being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Roanoke has equivalent purchasing power to $95,370 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 $95,370 in Wilmington.
Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $58,981 in Roanoke.
Living in Roanoke vs Wilmington
Housing Costs
Roanoke's housing index of 57 is lower Wilmington's 108, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $320,000. The $95,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,180 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Roanoke compared to $1,400/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Roanoke and 101 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Roanoke vs $480/month in Wilmington. 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 94 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $464 in Roanoke vs $376 in Wilmington. 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 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 $48,432 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,062 and $47,021 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 $1,130/month in Wilmington. In Roanoke, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 51 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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