Grand Rapids MI 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)
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
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
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Roswell
92,577
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Roswell
40.0
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Roswell
18.7%
Roswell +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Roswell
65.0%
Roswell +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Roswell
11.1%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Roswell
4.5%
Roswell +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Roswell
16.8%
Roswell +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 92,577 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 40.0 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 18.7% | Roswell + |
| White | 61.0% | 65.0% | Roswell + |
| Black | 17.9% | 11.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 4.5% | Roswell + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 16.8% | Roswell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Grand Rapids +
Roswell
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Roswell
4.3%
Roswell +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $124,422 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $65,454 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $57,405 | Grand Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.3% | Roswell + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 7.4% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 64.8% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Roswell
$662,209
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $662,209 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 71.2% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Roswell
392
Roswell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Roswell
1752
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 392 | Roswell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1752 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Roswell
9.9%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Roswell
17.4%
Roswell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 24.6% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.1% | Roswell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 13.8% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.9% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.4% | Roswell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 8.3% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Roswell
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Roswell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Roswell
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Roswell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Roswell
29.6 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 29.6 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Roswell is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. 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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