$80K in Gainesville = $79,091 in Roanoke
Your $80K salary in Gainesville (COL 88) has the same purchasing power as $79,091 in Roanoke (COL 87). Roanoke is cheaper — your money goes 1% further there.
Budget breakdown — $80K in both cities
What $80K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Gainesville $80K | Roanoke $80K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $5,057 | $4,670 |
| 1BR rent | $1,300 | $1,200 |
| Groceries | $361 | $361 |
| Transport | $55 | $48 |
| Utilities | $185 | $155 |
| Internet | $60 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | $3,096/month | $2,846/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $80K in Gainesville equivalent to in Roanoke?
$80K in Gainesville (COL index 88) has the same purchasing power as $79,091 in Roanoke (COL index 87). That's 1% less than your current salary.
If I move from Gainesville to Roanoke keeping my $80K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $80K after moving to Roanoke, you'd have $-250 more per month after core expenses — because Roanoke is cheaper than Gainesville.
How is the salary equivalent calculated?
The equivalent salary is calculated by multiplying your current salary by the ratio of the two cities' overall cost of living indices: $80K × (87 ÷ 88) = $79,091. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Gainesville to Roanoke
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only