Reston, VA vs Roanoke, VA

The cost of living difference between Reston, VA and Roanoke, VA is dramatic. Roanoke is 103.6% cheaper than Reston, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Reston has a cost index of 155 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 Reston is $2,170/month compared to $964/month in Roanoke — a 125% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Roanoke is more affordable at $180,500 median vs $616,000.

Median household income in Reston is $139,515 compared to $52,671 in Roanoke (+164.9%). While Reston is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Reston spend roughly 18.7% of their income on rent, less than the 22% in Roanoke.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (55.7°F vs 58.1°F). Reston receives more rainfall at 43.2" per year compared to 42.8" in Roanoke.