CostIndexUSA

Roanoke, VA vs Wichita, KS Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

VA
Roanoke
93.6
overall index
$1,350/mo rent
More AffordableKS
Wichita
88.9
overall index
$1,150/mo rent

Wichita is moderately cheaper than Roanoke — 5.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Roanoke, you would need $76,000 in Wichita. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing15.7%
Roanoke
78.5
Wichita
66.2
🛒 Groceries2.9%
Roanoke
96.8
Wichita
94
🚗 Transportation4.8%
Roanoke
103.5
Wichita
98.5
🏥 Healthcare4.9%
Roanoke
93.7
Wichita
89.1
Utilities≈ Equal
Roanoke
88.9
Wichita
88.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Wichita, KS
$76,000
$4,000 less needed in Wichita

Formula: salary × (88.9 ÷ 93.6) = salary × 0.9498. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Roanoke, VA

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

Wichita, KS

Median Home Price
$213,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,150
Housing Index
66.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.4×

Roanoke has 15.7% lower housing costs compared to Wichita.

Income & Job Market

Roanoke, VA

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

Wichita, KS

Median Household Income
$67,400
Per Capita Income
$38,400
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Population
397,532
Top Industries
AerospaceManufacturingHealthcareAgricultureEnergy

Affordability at a Glance

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

Roanoke, VA
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Wichita, KS
4.9×income-to-rent ratio

80% 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.