City Comparison
Brookhaven vs Roswell
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Roswell scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Brookhaven
Roswell
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Roswell is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Brookhaven.
Housing costs are a major driver: Brookhaven's average rent is
11% higher than Roswell's.
| Metric | Brookhaven | Roswell | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,750 | +11% |
| Groceries | $480 | $420 | +14% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $130 | $130 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $230 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,975 | $2,705 | +10% |
| Cost Index | 120 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Brookhaven offers 5% higher 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 Brookhaven is estimated at
$65,000 vs $62,000 in Roswell.
| Metric | Brookhaven | Roswell |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $82,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $62,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,333 idx | 69,643 idx |
| Household Income | $105,400 | $105,432 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.9°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Roswell sees 0.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Brookhaven | Roswell |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.10°F | 62.20°F |
| Summer High | 87.10°F | 86.70°F |
| Winter Low | 35.50°F | 34.80°F |
| Rainfall | 45.30 in | 46.90 in |
| Snowfall | 3.50 in | 3.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 233 | 236 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Brookhaven scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Brookhaven leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Brookhaven | Roswell |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 54.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Roswell is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Brookhaven.
From a growth perspective, Brookhaven is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Brookhaven | Roswell |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,850 | 92,835 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 40.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Brookhaven
Advantages
Median household income exceeds $105,000, reflecting a prosperous and economically stable local population per U.S. Census data.
Direct access to Atlanta via two dedicated MARTA rapid transit rail stations within city limits.
Abundant public parks and green spaces, including the expansive Peachtree Creek Greenway and Murphey Candler Park.
Highly rated local dining, craft breweries, and vibrant community festivals throughout the year.
Proximity to major employment hubs like Buckhead, Perimeter Center, and Midtown Atlanta.
Drawbacks
Housing purchase prices and rental rates are significantly higher than the U.S. national average per Zillow housing market indices.
Heavy rush-hour traffic congestion along major corridors such as Peachtree Road and around I-85 interchanges.
Elevated property taxes driven by rising real estate valuations across DeKalb County.
Limited large-scale industrial employment base, making the economy heavily service- and retail-dependent.
Competitive real estate market with low inventory for prospective first-time homebuyers.
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.
Brookhaven
#268Georgia, USA
61.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$82,000
Cost Index
120
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
233/yr
Avg Temp
63.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
81
Business
75
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Brookhaven and Roswell.
Open Cost Calculator