salaryRent is lower than in 60% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.2 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 19 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $58,520 a year. That is $28 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Virginia cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Virginia. It is number 44 of 199 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Roanoke?
Share of households by yearly income. 15.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Roanoke
| Size | Roanoke | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $876 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $891 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,017 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,349 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,561 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Roanoke overall?
Everyday prices in the Roanoke metro area are 6% below the U.S. average (index 93.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Roanoke
Life in Roanoke
What jobs pay in Roanoke
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Physician Assistant | $135,940 | 12.9% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,920 | 13.0% |
| Lawyer | $134,440 | 13.1% |
| Pharmacist | $133,980 | 13.1% |
| Software Developer | $121,110 | 14.5% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $105,430 | 16.7% |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,550 | 17.8% |
| Operations Manager | $98,140 | 17.9% |
| Civil Engineer | $90,720 | 19.4% |
| Registered Nurse | $80,090 | 21.9% |
| Accountant | $77,240 | 22.7% |
| Market Research Analyst | $64,340 | 27.3% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $62,010 | 28.3% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $61,210 | 28.7% |
| Police Officer | $59,900 | 29.3% |
| Electrician | $58,200 | 30.2% |
| Truck Driver | $56,430 | 31.1% |
| Plumber | $51,700 | 34.0% |
| HVAC Technician | $49,230 | 35.7% |
| Carpenter | $47,050 | 37.3% |
| Warehouse Worker | $46,180 | 38.0% |
| Customer Service Representative | $45,500 | 38.6% |
| Firefighter | $39,310 | 44.7% |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,960 | 45.1% |
| Medical Assistant | $37,780 | 46.5% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $37,380 | 47.0% |
| Restaurant Cook | $34,920 | 50.3% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,440 | 57.7% |
| Cashier | $29,060 | 60.4% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Roanoke?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $141 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $190,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $19,050 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Roanoke, VA?
Renting in Roanoke costs a median of about $1,463 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Virginia median is $2,049.
How much do I need to make to live in Roanoke?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $58,520 a year, or $28 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Roanoke cheap or expensive?
Roanoke is rated OK: rent takes 29.4% of the typical household income of $59,725. It ranks 44th cheapest of 199 Virginia cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Roanoke?
The median homeowner in Roanoke pays $1,893 a year in property taxes, about 0.99% of the median home value.
Is Roanoke more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 6% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Roanoke?
The median home value in Roanoke is $190,500, about 3.2 times the typical yearly household income.
98,355 people live in Roanoke. Numbers are typical (middle) values.