CostIndexUSA

Monroe, LA vs Roanoke, VA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableLA
Monroe
83.6
overall index
$1,100/mo rent
VA
Roanoke
93.6
overall index
$1,350/mo rent

Monroe is moderately cheaper than Roanoke — 12.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Monroe, you would need $89,600 in Roanoke. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+83.4%
Monroe
42.8
Roanoke
78.5
🛒 Groceries+3.3%
Monroe
93.7
Roanoke
96.8
🚗 Transportation+3.0%
Monroe
100.5
Roanoke
103.5
🏥 Healthcare+3.1%
Monroe
90.9
Roanoke
93.7
Utilities+23.1%
Monroe
72.2
Roanoke
88.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Roanoke, VA
$89,600
$9,600 more needed in Roanoke

Formula: salary × (93.6 ÷ 83.6) = salary × 1.1196. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Monroe, LA

Median Home Price
$157,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,100
Housing Index
42.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.9×

Roanoke, VA

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

Roanoke has 83.4% higher housing costs compared to Monroe.

Income & Job Market

Monroe, LA

Median Household Income
$50,300
Per Capita Income
$28,700
Unemployment Rate
7.3%
Population
47,252
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingGovernmentRetail

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).

Monroe, LA
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.