CostIndexUSA

Atlanta, GA vs Roanoke, VA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

GA
Atlanta
100.1
overall index
$1,800/mo rent
More AffordableVA
Roanoke
93.6
overall index
$1,350/mo rent

Roanoke is moderately cheaper than Atlanta — 6.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Atlanta, you would need $74,800 in Roanoke. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing29.3%
Atlanta
111
Roanoke
78.5
🛒 Groceries3.6%
Atlanta
100.4
Roanoke
96.8
🚗 Transportation+2.0%
Atlanta
101.5
Roanoke
103.5
🏥 Healthcare+2.0%
Atlanta
91.9
Roanoke
93.7
Utilities7.6%
Atlanta
96.2
Roanoke
88.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Atlanta to see what you'd need to earn in Roanoke to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Roanoke, VA
$74,800
$5,200 less needed in Roanoke

Formula: salary × (93.6 ÷ 100.1) = salary × 0.9351. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Atlanta, GA

Median Home Price
$374,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,800
Housing Index
111
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.3×

Roanoke, VA

Median Home Price
$287,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
78.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.7×

Atlanta has 29.3% lower housing costs compared to Roanoke.

Income & Job Market

Atlanta, GA

Median Household Income
$86,500
Per Capita Income
$49,300
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
498,715
Top Industries
FinanceTechnologyMediaHealthcareLogistics

Roanoke, VA

Median Household Income
$65,500
Per Capita Income
$37,300
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
99,394
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailFinanceGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Atlanta, GA
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Roanoke, VA
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.