Cost of Living

A low cost of living is important to individuals and businesses. It means lower bills and less money spent on an operating budget. Compared to other areas competing for your business, you cannot beat the Roanoke Region when it comes to affordability.

Compare costs for yourself with the cost of living analyzer tool on the Roanoke Regional Partnership website.

Cost of Living Index - Nationwide

RegionIndex
Boston, MA149.8
Washington, D.C./Northern VA140.8
Newark, NJ123.4
Chicago, IL121.5
National Average100
Chattanooga, TN97.3
Charlotte, NC95.9
Richmond, VA94.6
Roanoke Region87.7

Source: American Chamber of Commerce Researchers Association, 2nd Quarter 2018

Cost of Living Index - Virginia

MarketIndex
Washington, D.C./Northern VA140.8
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News97.2
Winchester96.8
Richmond94.6
Roanoke
87.7 
Lynchburg85.9

Source: American Chamber of Commerce Researchers Association, 2nd Quarter 2018

Specific Costs

The cost of living in the Roanoke region is 12.3 percent below the national average. Grocery and housing costs are both significantly lower than the national average (100).

Cost ElementIndex
Housing89.8
Grocery91.2
Transportation91.4
Health Care96.8
Utilities98.7
Miscellaneous98.9
Overall91.4

Source: Cost of Living Index, 2014 Annual Series