Moving to Roanoke Metro from San Jose / Silicon Valley

For people leaving San Jose / Silicon Valley, Southwest Virginia is one of the better-value places to land. Housing and taxes cost a good deal less here, and you're right next to the Blue Ridge.

12.3% → 5.75%
Top income tax (CA vs VA)
0.75% → ~1%
Property tax rate
~58% lower
Cost of living vs San Jose / Silicon Valley
$289,000
Median home here
Calculate your San Jose / Silicon Valley → Virginia savings →

Taxes

CA's top income tax rate is 12.3% versus Virginia's 5.75%, and property taxes run about 0.75% there versus roughly 1% across the region. On a $289,000 home that's a meaningful annual difference.

Cost of living & housing

Overall costs run about 58% lower here than in San Jose / Silicon Valley. It takes only about $83,810 here to match a $200,000 lifestyle there. The $289,000 median home here would run on the order of $681,910 back in San Jose / Silicon Valley.

Where to live

Compare the areas and what your money buys:

AreaMedian priceTax /$100
Roanoke County$310,0001.09
Roanoke City$218,0001.22
Salem$289,0001.19

Get the numbers for a San Jose / Silicon Valley-to-Virginia move →

Also exploring Southwest Virginia?

This is the Roanoke Metro guide. Looking a little further out? See our companion guide: