Baltimore MD vs Roswell GA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
Roswell, GA
Georgia · Population: 92,577
- Median HH Income$124,422
- Median Home Price$662,209
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Roswell
92,577
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Roswell
40.0
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Roswell
18.7%
Roswell +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Roswell
65.0%
Roswell +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Roswell
11.1%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Roswell
4.5%
Roswell +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Roswell
16.8%
Roswell +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 92,577 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 40.0 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 18.7% | Roswell + |
| White | 27.4% | 65.0% | Roswell + |
| Black | 60.0% | 11.1% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.5% | Roswell + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 16.8% | Roswell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Roswell
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Roswell
4.3%
Roswell +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $124,422 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $65,454 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $57,405 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 4.3% | Roswell + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 7.4% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 64.8% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Roswell
$662,209
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $662,209 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 71.2% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Roswell
392
Roswell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Roswell
1752
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 392 | Roswell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1752 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Roswell
9.9%
Roswell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Roswell
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 24.6% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 9.1% | Roswell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 13.8% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.9% | Roswell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 17.4% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 8.3% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Roswell
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
Roswell
55.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Roswell
29.6 min
Roswell +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 29.6 min | Roswell + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Roswell is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Roswell has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roswell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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