Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Roswell
92,577
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Roswell
40.0
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Roswell
18.7%
Roswell +
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Roswell
65.0%
Roswell +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Roswell
11.1%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Roswell
4.5%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Roswell
16.8%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 92,577 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 40.0 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 18.7% | Roswell + |
| White | 41.5% | 65.0% | Roswell + |
| Black | 34.1% | 11.1% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 4.5% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 16.8% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Charlotte +
Roswell
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Roswell
4.3%
Roswell +
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $124,422 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $65,454 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $57,405 | Charlotte + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.3% | Roswell + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 7.4% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 64.8% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
Roswell
$662,209
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $662,209 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 71.2% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Roswell
392
Roswell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Roswell
1752
Roswell +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 392 | Roswell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1752 | Roswell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Roswell
9.9%
Roswell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Roswell
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 24.6% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 9.1% | Roswell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 13.8% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.9% | Roswell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 17.4% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.3% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Roswell
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Charlotte +
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Charlotte +
Roswell
55.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Charlotte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charlotte + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
Roswell
29.6 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 29.6 min | Charlotte + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, while charlotte offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,070. On public safety, Roswell is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charlotte. Roswell has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Charlotte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roswell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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