Rows tagged local are specific to Roanoke (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Roanoke, VA. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 8/10 (district 5103300 · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
91.2
metro-area
#42 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)
97.1
metro-area
#121 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.19
metro-area
#40 of 200
Median household income
$51,523
local
#135 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)
$35,963
local
#93 of 200
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
6.57%
local
#27 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)
-0.4%
local
#158 of 200
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$162,000
local
#75 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
3.1×
local
#90 of 200
1-yr home appreciation
+3.8%
metro-area
#34 of 200
Price per square foot
$81
local
#64 of 200
Typical home size (implied)
2,000 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$917
local
#53 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)
1,243
Median days on market
13
metro-area
#69 of 200
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
12.5%
state
#160 of 200
Combined sales tax
5.73%
state
#12 of 200
State income tax (top rate)
5.75%
Capital gains tax
5.75%
state
#130 of 200
High earners
No special surtax
Effective property tax rate
1.06%
local
#88 of 200
Median property tax paid
$1,710
local
#50 of 200
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,800
state
#93 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$15,000
state
#141 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$80
state
#64 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
3.97% of value (~$1,112/yr)
state
#197 of 200
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
1
Avg commute to work
21 min
local
#80 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
17.4¢/kWh
state
#112 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$156
state
#112 of 200
Gasoline
$3.20/gal
state
#63 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#139 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$103
state
#97 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$77
state
#67 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,500
state
#51 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,400
state
#18 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: hurricanes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$700
state
#61 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
40
metro-area
#40 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
1,500
metro-area
#110 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
3,900
metro-area
#102 of 200
Avg summer high
87°F
metro-area
#94 of 200
Avg winter low
28°F
metro-area
#110 of 200
Annual precipitation
45.5"
metro-area
#129 of 200
Annual snowfall
8.8"
metro-area
#107 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)
57%
metro-area
#121 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
7a
Frost window
04-10 → 11-01
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
200
state
#7 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,500
state
#32 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
16
metro-area
#190 of 200
Parks
19
Hiking areas
5
Golf courses
11
Shooting ranges
2
Lakes
5
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
3
state
#87 of 200
Permit detail
Moderate
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.