City Comparison
Augusta vs Roswell
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Roswell scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Augusta
Roswell
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Augusta is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in Roswell.
Housing costs are a major driver: Augusta's average rent is
23% lower than Roswell's.
| Metric | Augusta | Roswell | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,750 | -23% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $130 | -15% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $230 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,235 | $2,705 | -17% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Roswell offers 23% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Roswell delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Augusta is estimated at
$48,000 vs $62,000 in Roswell.
| Metric | Augusta | Roswell |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $60,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $62,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,217 idx | 69,643 idx |
| Household Income | $55,485 | $105,432 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.7°F of each other.
For sunshine, Augusta comes out ahead with 24 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Roswell sees 0.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Augusta | Roswell |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.90°F | 62.20°F |
| Summer High | 89.90°F | 86.70°F |
| Winter Low | 38.40°F | 34.80°F |
| Rainfall | 37.30 in | 46.90 in |
| Snowfall | 3.30 in | 3.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 260 | 236 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Augusta has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Roswell.
For walkability, Roswell leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Augusta | Roswell |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 54.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Augusta is the larger city
— approximately 2.2x the population of Roswell.
From a growth perspective, Augusta is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Roswell has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Augusta | Roswell |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,559 | 92,835 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 40.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Augusta
Advantages
Average monthly rent sits near $1,350, offering high affordability compared to the national average per Zillow data.
Robust employment anchors in healthcare and military technology, including Fort Eisenhower and Augusta University.
Rich recreational lifestyle highlighted by the Augusta Canal National Heritage Area and premier year-round golfing.
Short average commute times of approximately 21 to 24 minutes reduce daily travel strain.
Lower overall cost of living indices that run notably below the U.S. average per federal economic data.
Drawbacks
Poverty rates in certain urban core districts remain higher than national averages per Census figures.
High summer temperatures and humidity levels can make outdoor activities uncomfortable during peak months.
Public transportation options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily commuting.
Local educational attainment metrics show lower percentages of bachelor's degrees than national benchmarks.
Property crime rates in specific pockets of the inner city require residents to maintain heightened awareness.
Roswell
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest cities in Georgia with crime rates well below the national average.
Exceptional public school system operated by the Fulton County School District.
Vibrant historic downtown and Canton Street offering renowned dining, shopping, and community events.
Abundant outdoor recreation access, including the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and extensive trail systems.
Strong local economy with low unemployment and robust median household incomes.
Drawbacks
Cost of living and housing prices are significantly higher than the U.S. and Georgia state averages.
High car dependency with limited public mass transit options within the city limits.
Peak-hour traffic congestion along major thoroughfares like Holcomb Bridge Road and GA-400.
Competitive real estate market makes finding affordable housing challenging for first-time buyers.
Property taxes in Fulton County can place a heavier financial burden on homeowners.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Augusta
#399Georgia, USA
58.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$60,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
260/yr
Avg Temp
65.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
73
Business
68
Roswell
#138Georgia, USA
65.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
236/yr
Avg Temp
62.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
84
Business
76
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