Tallahassee, FL 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 Tallahassee, FL are within 1% of each other (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Tallahassee works out to about $74,800 in Roanoke, before taxes.
- Housing is 0.0% higher in Roanoke, goods 0.6% higher and other services 0.3% lower, which roughly cancel out.
- Typical asking rent is $1,400 a month in Roanoke and $1,474 in Tallahassee, $888 a year less in Roanoke (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $298,000 in Roanoke and $281,000 in Tallahassee.
- The gap has narrowed since 2019, when Roanoke was 2.3% less expensive than Tallahassee.
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 Tallahassee and Roanoke
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Tallahassee, FL
- Roanoke, VA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Tallahassee, FL | Roanoke, VA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 93.9 | 93.6 |
| Goods | 96.2 | 96.8 |
| Housing (rents) | 78.5 | 78.5 |
| Utilities | 87.5 | 88.9 |
| Other services | 98.9 | 98.6 |
| Category | Tallahassee | Roanoke | Roanoke vs Tallahassee |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 93.9 | 93.6 | −0.3% |
| Goods | 96.2 | 96.8 | +0.6% |
| Housing (rents) | 78.5 | 78.5 | 0.0% |
| Utilities | 87.5 | 88.9 | +1.6% |
| Other services | 98.9 | 98.6 | −0.3% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,474 | $1,400 | −5.0% |
| Typical home value | $281,000 | $298,000 | +5.9% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Tallahassee | $75,000 | $74,800 | −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 Tallahassee and Roanoke has narrowed since 2008: 3.6 points then, 0.3 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Tallahassee, FL
- Roanoke, VA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Tallahassee, FL | Roanoke, VA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 96.0 | 92.4 |
| 2009 | 94.7 | 92.2 |
| 2010 | 95.7 | 94.3 |
| 2011 | 97.1 | 91.3 |
| 2012 | 97.2 | 93.1 |
| 2013 | 96.0 | 93.2 |
| 2014 | 96.3 | 93.2 |
| 2015 | 96.1 | 91.8 |
| 2016 | 97.4 | 92.0 |
| 2017 | 97.0 | 91.1 |
| 2018 | 93.9 | 91.9 |
| 2019 | 93.1 | 91.0 |
| 2020 | 91.1 | 90.2 |
| 2021 | 94.9 | 93.7 |
| 2022 | 94.3 | 92.3 |
| 2023 | 95.6 | 91.2 |
| 2024 | 93.9 | 93.6 |
Goods
- Tallahassee, FL
- Roanoke, VA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Tallahassee, FL | Roanoke, VA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.4 | 97.0 |
| 2009 | 95.3 | 94.9 |
| 2010 | 96.9 | 96.6 |
| 2011 | 96.7 | 96.3 |
| 2012 | 96.7 | 95.4 |
| 2013 | 96.8 | 95.9 |
| 2014 | 97.0 | 95.5 |
| 2015 | 96.4 | 94.7 |
| 2016 | 96.8 | 95.6 |
| 2017 | 96.9 | 95.4 |
| 2018 | 95.3 | 95.6 |
| 2019 | 95.3 | 95.1 |
| 2020 | 95.2 | 95.2 |
| 2021 | 95.7 | 96.1 |
| 2022 | 95.0 | 95.5 |
| 2023 | 96.3 | 97.1 |
| 2024 | 96.2 | 96.8 |
Housing (rents)
- Tallahassee, FL
- Roanoke, VA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Tallahassee, FL | Roanoke, VA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 85.4 | 73.1 |
| 2009 | 84.9 | 78.5 |
| 2010 | 84.5 | 80.9 |
| 2011 | 88.1 | 67.7 |
| 2012 | 89.7 | 74.8 |
| 2013 | 84.0 | 75.1 |
| 2014 | 83.2 | 75.8 |
| 2015 | 81.7 | 70.5 |
| 2016 | 87.0 | 69.3 |
| 2017 | 88.0 | 68.7 |
| 2018 | 77.4 | 73.2 |
| 2019 | 81.0 | 73.9 |
| 2020 | 72.1 | 71.9 |
| 2021 | 80.5 | 78.3 |
| 2022 | 77.7 | 73.3 |
| 2023 | 82.9 | 67.6 |
| 2024 | 78.5 | 78.5 |
Utilities
- Tallahassee, FL
- Roanoke, VA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Tallahassee, FL | Roanoke, VA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.6 | 87.4 |
| 2009 | 101.3 | 90.5 |
| 2010 | 97.2 | 91.2 |
| 2011 | 96.3 | 90.4 |
| 2012 | 94.2 | 91.9 |
| 2013 | 91.9 | 89.2 |
| 2014 | 95.0 | 91.0 |
| 2015 | 92.3 | 91.7 |
| 2016 | 87.7 | 90.0 |
| 2017 | 87.2 | 88.0 |
| 2018 | 88.4 | 90.0 |
| 2019 | 89.6 | 92.7 |
| 2020 | 86.9 | 90.9 |
| 2021 | 86.4 | 87.8 |
| 2022 | 92.0 | 89.6 |
| 2023 | 92.9 | 89.5 |
| 2024 | 87.5 | 88.9 |
Other services
- Tallahassee, FL
- Roanoke, VA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Tallahassee, FL | Roanoke, VA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.9 | 98.1 |
| 2009 | 97.5 | 96.4 |
| 2010 | 99.0 | 98.8 |
| 2011 | 100.5 | 99.8 |
| 2012 | 100.4 | 99.7 |
| 2013 | 99.7 | 99.5 |
| 2014 | 100.4 | 99.6 |
| 2015 | 101.1 | 100.1 |
| 2016 | 101.7 | 100.7 |
| 2017 | 100.4 | 98.7 |
| 2018 | 98.8 | 98.0 |
| 2019 | 95.9 | 95.4 |
| 2020 | 96.0 | 95.1 |
| 2021 | 99.7 | 99.6 |
| 2022 | 99.9 | 99.6 |
| 2023 | 99.8 | 98.9 |
| 2024 | 98.9 | 98.6 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,400 in Roanoke vs $1,474 in Tallahassee
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Tallahassee, FL
- 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
| Tallahassee, FL | Roanoke, VA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $849 | $748 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $860 | $757 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $848 | $762 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $852 | $756 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $869 | $763 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $873 | $770 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $866 | $790 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $867 | $802 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $894 | $786 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $902 | $796 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $907 | $808 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $906 | $796 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $931 | $799 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $936 | $819 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $935 | $839 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $950 | $827 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $974 | $841 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $978 | $872 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $997 | $875 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $997 | $869 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $996 | $895 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,005 | $894 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,013 | $924 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,032 | $914 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,038 | $933 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,073 | $974 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,147 | $1,012 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,178 | $1,045 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,192 | $1,082 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,255 | $1,131 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,311 | $1,156 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,313 | $1,157 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,321 | $1,170 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,353 | $1,210 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,370 | $1,229 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,386 | $1,221 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,387 | $1,240 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,403 | $1,272 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,413 | $1,290 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,429 | $1,293 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,434 | $1,313 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,455 | $1,328 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,452 | $1,353 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,449 | $1,343 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,489 | $1,376 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,476 | $1,388 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,474 | $1,400 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $298,000 in Roanoke vs $281,000 in Tallahassee
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Tallahassee, FL
- 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
| Tallahassee, FL | Roanoke, VA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $153K | $155K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $154K | $157K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $156K | $158K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $159K | $159K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $161K | $159K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $163K | $159K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $165K | $160K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $167K | $162K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $168K | $163K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $170K | $165K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $173K | $166K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $176K | $167K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $178K | $168K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $181K | $170K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $183K | $172K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $185K | $172K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $187K | $176K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $190K | $179K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $193K | $181K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $197K | $184K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $202K | $188K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $204K | $190K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $208K | $196K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $215K | $206K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $221K | $213K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $229K | $221K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $237K | $225K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $242K | $226K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $251K | $237K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $263K | $249K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $266K | $253K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $264K | $254K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $266K | $254K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $271K | $261K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $276K | $266K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $279K | $269K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $281K | $271K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $283K | $277K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $282K | $280K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $281K | $284K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $281K | $285K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $279K | $285K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $278K | $289K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $278K | $293K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $280K | $295K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $281K | $296K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $281K | $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.