Roanoke vs Worcester
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Roanoke
Worcester
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 35.2%, with Roanoke being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Roanoke has equivalent purchasing power to $115,741 in Worcester.
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 $115,741 in Worcester.
Conversely, $75,000 in Worcester equals $48,600 in Roanoke.
Living in Roanoke vs Worcester
Housing Costs
Roanoke's housing index of 57 is lower Worcester's 152, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $340,000. The $115,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,476 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 Worcester, a monthly difference of $525.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Roanoke and 106 in Worcester. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Roanoke vs $504/month in Worcester. Roanoke offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 116 in Roanoke and 122 in Worcester. Monthly utility bills average approximately $464 in Roanoke vs $488 in Worcester. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 91 in Roanoke and 115 in Worcester. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 24-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 $52,228 in Worcester. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,062 and $41,782 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 $1,219/month in Worcester. In Roanoke, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Worcester, 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 95 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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