| Locale |
Population |
Land Area (sq. miles) |
| Roanoke MSA |
233,400 |
853 |
| Roanoke City |
97,250 |
43 |
Roanoke County
(including Vinton) |
82,965 |
251 |
| Salem |
24,920 |
15 |
| Botetourt County |
28,260 |
543 |
Climate
The Roanoke Valley experiences four seasons with generally mild winters and warm summers. The coldest weather normally occurs during late December and into January. Our spring usually starts blooming in late March and the warm temperatures of summer begin in late June. The fall is filled with beautiful breezes and outdoor activities.
| Average elevation |
950 feet |
| Mean annual temperature |
55.9 degrees |
| Normal daily low - January |
25.0 degrees |
| Normal daily high - July |
86.4 degrees |
| Clear days |
101.8 |
| Rainfall |
41.13 inches annually |
| Snowfall |
25.7 inches annually |
Cost of Living
The Roanoke Valley ranks consistently lower than the national average in its cost of living according to the American Chamber of Commerce Researchers Association (ACCRA) Cost of Living Index. The Valley's cost of living is 94.1, below the national average of 100. The ACCRA Cost of Living Index compares groceries, housing, utilities, transportation, health care and miscellaneous goods and services for over 300 urban areas.
According to the third quarter '99 report based on 100.0 being the median score, Roanoke compares favorably to other areas:
| Roanoke's Cost of Living Index: |
Roanoke Compares Favorably to Other Areas: |
| Roanoke Composite 94.1 |
National Average 100.0 |
| Grocery Items 94.0 |
Roanoke, VA 94.1 |
| Housing 93.6 |
Washington D.C. 108.1 |
| Utilities 82.3 |
Richmond, VA 105.3 |
| Transportation 89.1 |
Charlotte, NC 99.8 |
| Health Care 94.9 |
Atlanta, GA 103.2 |
| Misc. Goods/Services 98.9 |
Raleigh, NC 103.3 |
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