Roanoke VA 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)
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
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
Roanoke
98,677
Roanoke +
Roswell
92,577
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roanoke
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Median Age
Roanoke
38.0
Roanoke +
Roswell
40.0
Foreign Born
Roanoke
7.5%
Roswell
18.7%
Roswell +
White
Roanoke
57.5%
Roswell
65.0%
Roswell +
Black
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Roswell
11.1%
Asian
Roanoke
3.1%
Roswell
4.5%
Roswell +
Hispanic
Roanoke
8.6%
Roswell
16.8%
Roswell +
Spanish at Home
Roanoke
N/A
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | 92,577 | Roanoke + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 40.0 | Roanoke + |
| Foreign Born | 7.5% | 18.7% | Roswell + |
| White | 57.5% | 65.0% | Roswell + |
| Black | 29.0% | 11.1% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.5% | Roswell + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 16.8% | Roswell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roanoke
$52,671
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Per Capita Income
Roanoke
$34,792
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Roswell
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Roanoke
5.5%
Roswell
4.3%
Roswell +
Poverty Rate
Roanoke
19.7%
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Roanoke
28.9%
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,671 | $124,422 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,792 | $65,454 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $57,405 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.3% | Roswell + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 7.4% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 64.8% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Roswell
$662,209
Homeownership Rate
Roanoke
51.7%
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,668 | $662,209 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 71.2% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Roswell
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
Roswell
1752
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 392 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1752 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
41.9%
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.9%
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roanoke
18.4%
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
11.0%
Roswell
9.9%
Roswell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Roswell
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
16.7%
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 24.6% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 9.1% | Roswell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 13.8% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 9.9% | Roswell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 17.4% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 8.3% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roswell
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
Roswell
55.0%
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
Roswell
29.6 min
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 29.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Roswell. Roswell has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roswell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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