Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
Boulder +
Roswell
92,577
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Roswell
40.0
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Roswell
18.7%
Roswell +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Roswell
65.0%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Roswell
11.1%
Roswell +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Roswell
4.5%
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Roswell
16.8%
Roswell +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 92,577 | Boulder + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 40.0 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 18.7% | Roswell + |
| White | 81.8% | 65.0% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 11.1% | Roswell + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.5% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 16.8% | Roswell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Roswell
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Roswell
4.3%
Roswell +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Roswell
64.8%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $124,422 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $65,454 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $57,405 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.3% | Roswell + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 7.4% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 64.8% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Roswell
$662,209
Roswell +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $662,209 | Roswell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 71.2% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Roswell
392
Roswell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Roswell
1752
Roswell +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 392 | Roswell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1752 | Roswell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Roswell
24.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Roswell
9.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Roswell
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Roswell
17.4%
Roswell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 24.6% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 9.1% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 13.8% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 9.9% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 17.4% | Roswell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 8.3% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Roswell
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Boulder +
Roswell
55.0%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boulder + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Roswell
29.6 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 29.6 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, while roswell offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $662,209. On public safety, Roswell is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Roswell has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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