Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Roswell
92,577
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Roswell
40.0
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Roswell
18.7%
White
Houston
35.5%
Roswell
65.0%
Roswell +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Roswell
11.1%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Roswell
4.5%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Roswell
16.8%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 92,577 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 40.0 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 18.7% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 65.0% | Roswell + |
| Black | 22.9% | 11.1% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 4.5% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 16.8% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Roswell
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Roswell
4.3%
Roswell +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $124,422 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $65,454 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $57,405 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.3% | Roswell + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 7.4% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 64.8% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Roswell
$662,209
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $662,209 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 71.2% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Roswell
392
Roswell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Roswell
1752
Roswell +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 392 | Roswell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1752 | Roswell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Roswell
9.9%
Roswell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Roswell
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 24.6% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.1% | Roswell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 13.8% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 9.9% | Roswell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.4% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 8.3% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Roswell
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Houston, TX | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Roswell
29.6 min
Tie
| Metric | Houston, TX | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 29.6 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Roswell is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Roswell has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roswell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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