City Comparison
Roswell vs Atlanta
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Roswell scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Roswell
Atlanta
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Roswell is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Atlanta.
| Metric | Roswell | Atlanta | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,882 | -7% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,705 | $2,882 | -6% |
| Cost Index | 112 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Roswell offers 20% 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 Roswell is estimated at
$62,000 vs $55,000 in Atlanta.
| Metric | Roswell | Atlanta |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,643 idx | 67,708 idx |
| Household Income | $105,432 | $85,652 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Roswell sees 0.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Roswell | Atlanta |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 62.20°F | 63.30°F |
| Summer High | 86.70°F | 87.50°F |
| Winter Low | 34.80°F | 35.70°F |
| Rainfall | 46.90 in | 46.30 in |
| Snowfall | 3.70 in | 3.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 236 | 233 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Atlanta scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Atlanta leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Roswell | Atlanta |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 54.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Atlanta is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Roswell.
From a growth perspective, Atlanta 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 | Roswell | Atlanta |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,835 | 505,268 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.59% |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 34.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Atlanta
Advantages
Atlanta offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to other major U.S. cities, with housing costs being a significant factor in its favor.
The city has a strong and diverse job market with projected job growth significantly higher than the national average, driven by key industries like aviation, FinTech, and healthcare.
Atlanta is a major transportation hub, boasting the world's busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which facilitates global travel and trade.
The city provides a high quality of life with a "City in the Forest" ambiance, a vibrant cultural scene, diverse culinary options, and ample outdoor recreational opportunities.
Atlanta's crime rates have shown a downward trend in recent years, with significant reductions in major crime categories in 2024, reaching historic lows for violent crime.
Drawbacks
Atlanta is known for its notorious traffic congestion, which can significantly impact commute times and daily travel.
The city's public transportation system, while present, is often cited as a con due to its limitations in serving the extensive urban sprawl of the metropolitan area.
While generally affordable, housing costs in Atlanta can still be a significant expense, and the market has seen substantial increases in required income to afford a home.
Summer humidity and heat can be intense, contributing to less comfortable outdoor conditions during certain months.
Competition in certain sectors, such as tech and media, can be intense, requiring job seekers to be well-researched and prepared.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Atlanta
#148Georgia, USA
65.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,882
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
233/yr
Avg Temp
63.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.59%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
74
Business
68
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