Riverside CA 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)
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
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
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Roswell
92,577
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Riverside
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Median Age
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Roswell
40.0
Foreign Born
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
Roswell
18.7%
White
Riverside
39.2%
Roswell
65.0%
Roswell +
Black
Riverside
6.0%
Roswell
11.1%
Roswell +
Asian
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Roswell
4.5%
Hispanic
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Roswell
16.8%
Spanish at Home
Riverside
N/A
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 316,241 | 92,577 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 40.0 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 22.4% | 18.7% | Riverside + |
| White | 39.2% | 65.0% | Roswell + |
| Black | 6.0% | 11.1% | Roswell + |
| Asian | 8.3% | 4.5% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 54.6% | 16.8% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Riverside
$88,575
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Per Capita Income
Riverside
$33,716
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Roswell
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Riverside
6.0%
Roswell
4.3%
Roswell +
Poverty Rate
Riverside
12.5%
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Riverside
25.7%
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,575 | $124,422 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,716 | $65,454 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $57,405 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.3% | Roswell + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 7.4% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 64.8% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Riverside
$648,603
Riverside +
Roswell
$662,209
Homeownership Rate
Riverside
56.3%
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $648,603 | $662,209 | Riverside + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% | 71.2% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Riverside
503
Roswell
392
Roswell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Riverside
2388
Roswell
1752
Roswell +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 392 | Roswell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1752 | Roswell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Riverside
36.7%
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Riverside
11.2%
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Riverside
18.5%
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Riverside
13.6%
Roswell
9.9%
Roswell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Roswell
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Riverside
11.5%
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 24.6% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.1% | Roswell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 13.8% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.9% | Roswell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 17.4% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 8.3% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Riverside
66.8°F
Roswell
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Riverside
10.3 in
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Riverside
75.0%
Riverside +
Roswell
55.0%
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Riverside + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Riverside
34.1 min
Roswell
29.6 min
Roswell +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 29.6 min | Roswell + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, while riverside offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $648,603. On public safety, Roswell is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Riverside. Roswell has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roswell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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