Roswell GA vs Salem OR — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Roswell, GA
Georgia · Population: 92,577
- Median HH Income$124,422
- Median Home Price$662,209
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Roswell
92,577
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roswell
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Roswell
40.0
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Roswell
18.7%
Roswell +
Salem
12.2%
White
Roswell
65.0%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Roswell
11.1%
Roswell +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Roswell
4.5%
Roswell +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Roswell
16.8%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Roswell
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,577 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 12.2% | Roswell + |
| White | 65.0% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 11.1% | 1.6% | Roswell + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 3.5% | Roswell + |
| Hispanic | 16.8% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roswell
$57,405
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Roswell
4.3%
Roswell +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $124,422 | $71,900 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $65,454 | $36,477 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.3% | Roswell + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 14.7% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 64.8% | 31.4% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roswell
$662,209
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $662,209 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% | 55.7% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roswell
392
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roswell
1752
Roswell +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3001 | Roswell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roswell
9.9%
Roswell +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roswell
17.4%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.6% | 41.4% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 11.7% | Roswell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.8% | 18.8% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.6% | Roswell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 12.4% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roswell
N/A
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roswell
N/A
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roswell
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roswell
29.6 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Salem 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 Salem 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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