Columbus GA 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)
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
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
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Roswell
92,577
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Roswell
40.0
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Roswell
18.7%
Roswell +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Roswell
65.0%
Roswell +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Roswell
11.1%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Roswell
4.5%
Roswell +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Roswell
16.8%
Roswell +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 92,577 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 40.0 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 18.7% | Roswell + |
| White | 39.3% | 65.0% | Roswell + |
| Black | 46.7% | 11.1% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 4.5% | Roswell + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 16.8% | Roswell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Roswell
$57,405
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Roswell
4.3%
Roswell +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $124,422 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $65,454 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $57,405 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.3% | Roswell + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 7.4% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 64.8% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Roswell
$662,209
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $662,209 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 71.2% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Roswell
392
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Roswell
1752
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 392 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1752 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Roswell
9.9%
Roswell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Roswell
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 24.6% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 9.1% | Roswell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 13.8% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 9.9% | Roswell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 17.4% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 8.3% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Roswell
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Roswell
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Roswell
29.6 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 29.6 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Roswell is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. Roswell has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Roswell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roswell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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