Columbus OH 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, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
906,480
Columbus +
Roswell
92,577
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Roswell
40.0
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Roswell
18.7%
Roswell +
White
Columbus
53.3%
Roswell
65.0%
Roswell +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Roswell
11.1%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Roswell
4.5%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Roswell
16.8%
Roswell +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 92,577 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 40.0 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 18.7% | Roswell + |
| White | 53.3% | 65.0% | Roswell + |
| Black | 29.0% | 11.1% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.5% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 16.8% | Roswell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Columbus +
Roswell
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Roswell
4.3%
Roswell +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $124,422 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $65,454 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $57,405 | Columbus + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.3% | Roswell + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 7.4% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 64.8% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Roswell
$662,209
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $662,209 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 71.2% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Roswell
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Roswell
1752
Roswell +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 392 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1752 | Roswell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Roswell
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Roswell
17.4%
Roswell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 24.6% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.1% | Roswell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 13.8% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.9% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.4% | Roswell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 8.3% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Roswell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Roswell
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Roswell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Roswell
29.6 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 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 $248,749. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Roswell. 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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