Portland OR 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)
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
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
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Roswell
92,577
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Portland +
Roswell
40.0
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Roswell
18.7%
Roswell +
White
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Roswell
65.0%
Black
Portland
5.8%
Roswell
11.1%
Roswell +
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Roswell
4.5%
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
Roswell
16.8%
Roswell +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 92,577 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 40.0 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 18.7% | Roswell + |
| White | 70.1% | 65.0% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.8% | 11.1% | Roswell + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 4.5% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 16.8% | Roswell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Roswell
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Roswell
4.3%
Roswell +
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $124,422 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $65,454 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $57,405 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.3% | Roswell + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 7.4% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 64.8% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Portland +
Roswell
$662,209
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $662,209 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 71.2% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Portland +
Roswell
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
Roswell
1752
Roswell +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 392 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1752 | Roswell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Roswell
9.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Roswell
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Roswell
17.4%
Roswell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 24.6% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 9.1% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 13.8% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 9.9% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 17.4% | Roswell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 8.3% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Roswell
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
Roswell
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Portland, OR | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
Roswell
29.6 min
| Metric | Portland, OR | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 29.6 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, while portland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $538,687. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Roswell. Roswell has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roswell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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