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Roanoke, VA

Cost of living in Roanoke city, VA

Part of the Roanoke Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,972/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 98,677 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $948 32%
Healthcare $480 16%
Federal tax $453 15%
Groceries $355 12%
Transport $320 11%
Energy $202 7%
State tax $159 5%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Roanoke city

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$892
per month
1 bedroom
$948
per month
2 bedroom
$1,141
per month
3 bedroom
$1,597
per month
4 bedroom
$1,885
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Roanoke city

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$52,671
per year
Individual earnings
$37,740
per year
Per capita
$34,792
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Roanoke city

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$180,500
Annual property tax
$1,828

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Roanoke city

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$153
per month · 14.6¢/kWh
Natural gas
$49
per month
Annual total
$2,424
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Roanoke city

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
9.6%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Roanoke city

State and local tax rates for Virginia.

State income tax
5.8%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
5.3%
Combined sales tax
5.8%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Roanoke city

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
19.9 min
Drive alone
76.2%
Public transit
2.4%
Work from home
10.7%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Roanoke city

What it costs to live in Roanoke city each month.

Single person
$2,972
per month
  • Rent $948
  • Energy $202
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $355
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $453
  • State tax $159
Couple
$4,083
per month
  • Rent $1,141
  • Energy $242
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $588
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $532
  • State tax $231
Family
$6,701
per month
  • Rent $1,597
  • Energy $303
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $893
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $532
  • State tax $231

Frequently asked questions about Roanoke city

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Roanoke city?

In Roanoke city, VA, a one-bedroom apartment averages $948 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,141 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,597 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Roanoke city?

In Roanoke city, VA, the average household income is $52,671 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $37,740 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Roanoke city?

The estimated cost of living in Roanoke city, VA is approximately $2,972 per month for a single person, $4,083 for a couple, $6,701 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Roanoke city?

The combined sales tax rate in Roanoke city, VA is 5.75%, which includes the Virginia state rate of 5.30% plus an average local rate of 0.45%.

Is Roanoke city an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Roanoke city, VA would need approximately $2,972 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $52,671 per year ($4,389 per month). Roanoke city has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Roanoke city?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Roanoke city, VA is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 9.6% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Roanoke city?

The average home value in Roanoke city, VA is $180,500, with average annual property taxes of $1,828, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Roanoke city compare to other areas?

You can compare Roanoke city, VA with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Roanoke city is in the Roanoke, VA metro area.

Other counties in Virginia

Browse the full list of counties in Virginia, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Virginia

Compare Roanoke city with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources