Arlington, VA vs Roanoke, VA

The cost of living difference between Arlington, VA and Roanoke, VA is dramatic. Roanoke is 134.6% cheaper than Arlington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Arlington has a cost index of 178 while Roanoke sits at 76, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month compared to $964/month in Roanoke — a 136% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Roanoke is more affordable at $180,500 median vs $864,800.

Median household income in Arlington is $140,160 compared to $52,671 in Roanoke (+166.1%). While Arlington is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Arlington spend roughly 19.5% of their income on rent, less than the 22% in Roanoke.