Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Roswell
92,577
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Roswell
40.0
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Roswell
18.7%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Roswell
65.0%
Roswell +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Roswell
11.1%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Roswell
4.5%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Roswell
16.8%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 92,577 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 40.0 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 18.7% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 65.0% | Roswell + |
| Black | 28.4% | 11.1% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 4.5% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 16.8% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Roswell
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Roswell
4.3%
Roswell +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $124,422 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $65,454 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $57,405 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.3% | Roswell + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 7.4% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 64.8% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Roswell
$662,209
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $662,209 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 71.2% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Roswell
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Roswell
1752
Roswell +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 392 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1752 | Roswell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Roswell
9.9%
Roswell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Roswell
17.4%
Roswell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 24.6% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.1% | Roswell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 13.8% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.9% | Roswell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 17.4% | Roswell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.3% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Roswell
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Chicago +
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Roswell
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Chicago + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Roswell
29.6 min
Roswell +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 29.6 min | Roswell + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Roswell. Roswell has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Chicago has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roswell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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