2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Merced, CA vs Roanoke, VA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Roanoke or is it cheaper to live in Merced?
- Roanoke is 25.8% less expensive than Merced.

Which city has more affordable housing, Roanoke or Merced?
- Roanoke housing costs are 39.3% less expensive than Merced housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Merced or is Health Care more affordable in Roanoke.
- Health related expenses are 8.7% less in Roanoke.
 Merced, CARoanoke, VAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock80.9100
 Food & Groceries99.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock110.7100
 Housing110.3  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$225,600$338,100
 Utilities110  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock77.0100
 Miscellaneous108.7  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Merced    44 Reviews

Merced is totally slept on - you want a little bit of everything CA has to offer, at a fraction of the price of other CA cities? Merced is the place to go. The town  More

   |    Reply

Over 5 years ago

Good place to live. More affordable than most of california. The city is growing and there is alot of business and growth here. Moved from the Bay area years ago and  More

   |    Reply

Great place to live. Lots of progress and changes coming to the city. Great place to raise a family. UC Merced is expanding and businesses are investing. Downtown is  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Merced

Reviews for Roanoke    44 Reviews

Over 3 years ago

I’ve lived in Roanoke for 15 years, so I hope this comment can help those planning on moving here. Roanoke isn’t bad if you consider Roanoke county and Salem. Sure,  More

   |    Reply

I've lived here from 2 years and, goddamn, these people are stupid af. If I here coronavirus is a hoax and and fat people making comments at me for wearing a damn mask  More

   |    Reply

I was born and raised in Roanoke County (Oak Grove subdivision), departing in 1989 for a job in Texas. So my perspective on the area is dated, but might be valuable as  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Roanoke


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.