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Retirement community in Roanoke, Virginia

Photo by Chandler Cruttenden on Unsplash (https://unsplash.com/@chanphoto)

Roanoke, Virginia Retirement Guide

45

Retirement Score

Roanoke, Virginia at a Glance

Median Home Price
$183,400
State Income Tax
State income tax; Social Security exempt; age-based retirement income subtraction available.
Avg January Low
29.2°F
Cost of Living Index
102 (US avg = 100)
RetireCityIQ Score
45 / 100

Overview

Explore the key retirement factors for Roanoke, Virginia, including cost of living, taxes, healthcare quality, and climate data.

Cost of Living

Affordability Metrics

Cost of Living Index
102 (U.S. avg = 100)Low confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Household Income
$51,523High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Roanoke's cost of living is 2% above the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.

Housing

Real Estate & Housing

Median Home Price
$183,400High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$905High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated October 2026
Owner-Occupied Housing
52.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)

Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Roanoke using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.

Estimated monthly carrying cost

$397

Stress-case monthly carrying cost

$446

Median home price used: $183,400

Median rent reference: $905 / month

Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.

Budget validation

Calculate if your savings last in this city

Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in Roanoke, Virginia after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.

Open the RetireFree Calculator →

Healthcare

Access & Quality

Healthcare Access Score
11.9 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated October 2026
Care Access (Proxy)
11.9 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score
39 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026

Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. Roanoke scores 11.9 out of 100 for healthcare access.

Care planning link

Find local assisted living in Roanoke

If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.

Assisted living in Roanoke →

Taxes

State Tax Climate

Retirement Tax Score
45 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated October 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security exempt; age-based retirement income subtraction available.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated October 2026

Virginia has a tax environment that is moderate for retirees.

Climate

Weather & Environment

Avg July High
90.5°FLow confidence
Avg January Low
29.2°FLow confidence
Annual Precipitation
42.2"Low confidence
Sunny Days / Year
305 daysLow confidence

With 305 sunny days a year and an average January low of 29.2°F, Roanoke offers a traditional winter climate.

Safety & Walkability

Community Safety

Safety Score
71.4 / 100Low confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026

Walkability

Walk Score (proxy)
20 / 100Low confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
9.8 / 100Low confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026

Demographics

Population Profile

Population
99,213High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Age
38.1High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Age 65+
17.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Veterans
7.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
28.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Diversity Breakdown

White
59.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Black
29.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Hispanic/Latino
6.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Asian
3.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Frequently asked questions about retiring in Roanoke

What is the cost of living in Roanoke, Virginia for retirees?▾

The cost-of-living index is 102, roughly 2% above the national average of 100. Median home price is around $183,400.

Does Virginia tax Social Security or retirement income?▾

For Virginia residents: State income tax; Social Security exempt; age-based retirement income subtraction available.

What is the climate like in Roanoke, Virginia?▾

Roanoke, Virginia has January average low around 29°F, July average high around 91°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.

What is healthcare access like in Roanoke, Virginia?▾

Roanoke scores 12/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a limited score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).

Local Professionals

Financial Advisors

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

Financial Advisor

PEAKVALLEY WEALTH, LLC

Financial Advisor

VIP PLANNERS, INC.

Financial Advisor

+92 more financial advisors available

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