CostIndexUSA

Irvine, CA vs Roanoke, VA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Irvine
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent
More AffordableVA
Roanoke
93.6
overall index
$1,350/mo rent

Roanoke is significantly cheaper than Irvine — 17.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Irvine, you would need $65,900 in Roanoke. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing53.9%
Irvine
170.4
Roanoke
78.5
🛒 Groceries9.2%
Irvine
106.6
Roanoke
96.8
🚗 Transportation5.6%
Irvine
109.6
Roanoke
103.5
🏥 Healthcare5.4%
Irvine
99.1
Roanoke
93.7
Utilities43.9%
Irvine
158.6
Roanoke
88.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Irvine to see what you'd need to earn in Roanoke to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Roanoke, VA
$65,900
$14,100 less needed in Roanoke

Formula: salary × (93.6 ÷ 113.6) = salary × 0.8239. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Irvine, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Roanoke, VA

Median Home Price
$287,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
78.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.7×

Irvine has 53.9% lower housing costs compared to Roanoke.

Income & Job Market

Irvine, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
307,670
Top Industries
TechnologyFinanceHealthcareEducationReal Estate

Roanoke, VA

Median Household Income
$65,500
Per Capita Income
$37,300
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
99,394
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailFinanceGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Irvine, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Roanoke, VA
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.