Phoenix AZ 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)
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
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
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Roswell
92,577
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Roswell
40.0
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
Roswell
18.7%
White
Phoenix
53.7%
Roswell
65.0%
Roswell +
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
Roswell
11.1%
Roswell +
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Roswell
4.5%
Roswell +
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Roswell
16.8%
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 92,577 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 40.0 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 18.7% | Phoenix + |
| White | 53.7% | 65.0% | Roswell + |
| Black | 7.8% | 11.1% | Roswell + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 4.5% | Roswell + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 16.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Roswell
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
Roswell
4.3%
Roswell +
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $124,422 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $65,454 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $57,405 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.3% | Roswell + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 7.4% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 64.8% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Roswell
$662,209
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $662,209 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 71.2% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
Roswell
392
Roswell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Roswell
1752
Roswell +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 392 | Roswell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1752 | Roswell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
Roswell
9.9%
Roswell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Roswell
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 24.6% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 9.1% | Roswell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 13.8% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 9.9% | Roswell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.4% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 8.3% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
Roswell
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
Roswell
55.0%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
Roswell
29.6 min
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 29.6 min | Phoenix + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Roswell is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Roswell has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roswell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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