Athens, GA vs Roanoke, VA: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, living costs in Roanoke, VA and Athens, GA are within 1% of each other (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Athens works out to about $75,200 in Roanoke, before taxes.
- Housing is 2.3% higher in Roanoke, goods 0.5% higher and other services 0.1% lower, which roughly cancel out.
- Typical asking rent is $1,400 a month in Roanoke and $1,776 in Athens, $4,512 a year less in Roanoke (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $298,000 in Roanoke and $367,000 in Athens.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (0.4%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Overall prices are about the same in Athens and Roanoke
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Athens, GA
- Roanoke, VA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Athens, GA | Roanoke, VA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 93.3 | 93.6 |
| Goods | 96.3 | 96.8 |
| Housing (rents) | 76.8 | 78.5 |
| Utilities | 89.3 | 88.9 |
| Other services | 98.7 | 98.6 |
| Category | Athens | Roanoke | Roanoke vs Athens |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 93.3 | 93.6 | +0.3% |
| Goods | 96.3 | 96.8 | +0.5% |
| Housing (rents) | 76.8 | 78.5 | +2.3% |
| Utilities | 89.3 | 88.9 | −0.4% |
| Other services | 98.7 | 98.6 | −0.1% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,776 | $1,400 | −21.2% |
| Typical home value | $367,000 | $298,000 | −18.9% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Athens | $75,000 | $75,200 | +0.3% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Athens and Roanoke has narrowed since 2008: 1.8 points then, 0.3 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Athens, GA
- Roanoke, VA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Athens, GA | Roanoke, VA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 94.2 | 92.4 |
| 2009 | 94.3 | 92.2 |
| 2010 | 94.7 | 94.3 |
| 2011 | 94.4 | 91.3 |
| 2012 | 93.3 | 93.1 |
| 2013 | 93.4 | 93.2 |
| 2014 | 93.5 | 93.2 |
| 2015 | 92.9 | 91.8 |
| 2016 | 93.7 | 92.0 |
| 2017 | 93.8 | 91.1 |
| 2018 | 90.5 | 91.9 |
| 2019 | 90.6 | 91.0 |
| 2020 | 90.2 | 90.2 |
| 2021 | 94.4 | 93.7 |
| 2022 | 93.4 | 92.3 |
| 2023 | 93.5 | 91.2 |
| 2024 | 93.3 | 93.6 |
Goods
- Athens, GA
- Roanoke, VA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Athens, GA | Roanoke, VA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.2 | 97.0 |
| 2009 | 95.1 | 94.9 |
| 2010 | 96.7 | 96.6 |
| 2011 | 96.4 | 96.3 |
| 2012 | 96.2 | 95.4 |
| 2013 | 96.5 | 95.9 |
| 2014 | 96.7 | 95.5 |
| 2015 | 95.8 | 94.7 |
| 2016 | 96.5 | 95.6 |
| 2017 | 96.3 | 95.4 |
| 2018 | 95.6 | 95.6 |
| 2019 | 95.4 | 95.1 |
| 2020 | 95.2 | 95.2 |
| 2021 | 95.8 | 96.1 |
| 2022 | 95.0 | 95.5 |
| 2023 | 96.3 | 97.1 |
| 2024 | 96.3 | 96.8 |
Housing (rents)
- Athens, GA
- Roanoke, VA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Athens, GA | Roanoke, VA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 81.0 | 73.1 |
| 2009 | 86.8 | 78.5 |
| 2010 | 80.8 | 80.9 |
| 2011 | 76.4 | 67.7 |
| 2012 | 73.5 | 74.8 |
| 2013 | 73.6 | 75.1 |
| 2014 | 73.4 | 75.8 |
| 2015 | 70.8 | 70.5 |
| 2016 | 71.9 | 69.3 |
| 2017 | 76.0 | 68.7 |
| 2018 | 67.0 | 73.2 |
| 2019 | 69.7 | 73.9 |
| 2020 | 69.1 | 71.9 |
| 2021 | 79.5 | 78.3 |
| 2022 | 75.8 | 73.3 |
| 2023 | 77.9 | 67.6 |
| 2024 | 76.8 | 78.5 |
Utilities
- Athens, GA
- Roanoke, VA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Athens, GA | Roanoke, VA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 90.0 | 87.4 |
| 2009 | 88.6 | 90.5 |
| 2010 | 90.6 | 91.2 |
| 2011 | 94.2 | 90.4 |
| 2012 | 93.8 | 91.9 |
| 2013 | 93.9 | 89.2 |
| 2014 | 94.8 | 91.0 |
| 2015 | 93.6 | 91.7 |
| 2016 | 91.4 | 90.0 |
| 2017 | 89.9 | 88.0 |
| 2018 | 89.6 | 90.0 |
| 2019 | 91.8 | 92.7 |
| 2020 | 92.5 | 90.9 |
| 2021 | 90.7 | 87.8 |
| 2022 | 91.5 | 89.6 |
| 2023 | 87.4 | 89.5 |
| 2024 | 89.3 | 88.9 |
Other services
- Athens, GA
- Roanoke, VA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Athens, GA | Roanoke, VA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.1 | 98.1 |
| 2009 | 97.6 | 96.4 |
| 2010 | 99.7 | 98.8 |
| 2011 | 100.8 | 99.8 |
| 2012 | 100.8 | 99.7 |
| 2013 | 100.3 | 99.5 |
| 2014 | 100.1 | 99.6 |
| 2015 | 100.7 | 100.1 |
| 2016 | 101.9 | 100.7 |
| 2017 | 100.1 | 98.7 |
| 2018 | 97.5 | 98.0 |
| 2019 | 95.6 | 95.4 |
| 2020 | 95.2 | 95.1 |
| 2021 | 99.4 | 99.6 |
| 2022 | 99.5 | 99.6 |
| 2023 | 98.6 | 98.9 |
| 2024 | 98.7 | 98.6 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,400 in Roanoke vs $1,776 in Athens
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Athens, GA
- Roanoke, VA
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Athens, GA | Roanoke, VA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $839 | $748 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $865 | $757 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $852 | $762 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $867 | $756 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $869 | $763 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $905 | $770 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $909 | $790 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $927 | $802 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $935 | $786 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $939 | $796 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $966 | $808 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $981 | $796 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,021 | $799 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,042 | $819 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,047 | $839 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,076 | $827 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,076 | $841 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,107 | $872 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,129 | $875 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,168 | $869 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,167 | $895 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,178 | $894 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,211 | $924 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,246 | $914 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,275 | $933 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,303 | $974 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,371 | $1,012 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,400 | $1,045 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,432 | $1,082 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,499 | $1,131 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,541 | $1,156 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,535 | $1,157 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,608 | $1,170 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,617 | $1,210 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,644 | $1,229 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,660 | $1,221 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,671 | $1,240 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,702 | $1,272 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,705 | $1,290 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,712 | $1,293 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,716 | $1,313 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,718 | $1,328 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,735 | $1,353 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,747 | $1,343 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,768 | $1,376 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,754 | $1,388 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,776 | $1,400 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $298,000 in Roanoke vs $367,000 in Athens
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Athens, GA
- Roanoke, VA
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Athens, GA | Roanoke, VA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $157K | $155K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $159K | $157K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $160K | $158K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $163K | $159K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $165K | $159K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $167K | $159K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $169K | $160K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $170K | $162K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $173K | $163K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $177K | $165K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $181K | $166K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $185K | $167K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $188K | $168K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $192K | $170K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $197K | $172K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $202K | $172K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $207K | $176K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $211K | $179K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $214K | $181K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $219K | $184K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $225K | $188K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $229K | $190K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $236K | $196K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $248K | $206K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $260K | $213K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $272K | $221K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $283K | $225K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $294K | $226K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $311K | $237K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $323K | $249K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $324K | $253K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $323K | $254K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $325K | $254K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $332K | $261K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $339K | $266K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $344K | $269K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $349K | $271K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $355K | $277K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $355K | $280K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $358K | $284K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $360K | $285K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $359K | $285K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $361K | $289K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $364K | $293K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $367K | $295K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $367K | $296K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $367K | $298K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.