Malvern, AL vs Roanoke, AL

Roanoke is moderately more affordable than Malvern, with a 11.6% lower cost of living index. Malvern scores 67 compared to 60 for Roanoke, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Malvern can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Malvern is $929/month compared to $589/month in Roanoke — a 58% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Roanoke has cheaper rent, Malvern actually has lower median home values ($98,300 vs $129,100).

Median household income in Malvern is $52,500 compared to $48,083 in Roanoke (+9.2%). The higher salaries in Malvern partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Malvern spend roughly 21.2% of their income on rent, more than the 14.7% in Roanoke.

Climate-wise, Malvern is notably warmer with an average of 67.8°F compared to 63.1°F in Roanoke. Malvern receives more rainfall at 53.9" per year compared to 52.1" in Roanoke.