Roswell GA vs Salinas CA — 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Roswell
92,577
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roswell
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Roswell
40.0
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Roswell
18.7%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Roswell
65.0%
Roswell +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Roswell
11.1%
Roswell +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Roswell
4.5%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Roswell
16.8%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Roswell
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,577 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 65.0% | 21.8% | Roswell + |
| Black | 11.1% | 1.4% | Roswell + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 16.8% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Salinas
$89,150
Per Capita Income
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roswell
$57,405
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Roswell
4.3%
Roswell +
Salinas
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $124,422 | $89,150 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $65,454 | $28,813 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.7% | Roswell + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 14.2% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 64.8% | 15.5% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roswell
$662,209
Roswell +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $662,209 | $751,711 | Roswell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% | 47.0% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roswell
392
Roswell +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roswell
1752
Roswell +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Roswell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Roswell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roswell
9.9%
Roswell +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roswell
17.4%
Salinas
16.8%
Salinas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.6% | 32.8% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 12.4% | Roswell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.8% | 18.2% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 22.4% | Roswell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.8% | Salinas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 12.9% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roswell
N/A
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roswell
N/A
Salinas
15.5 in
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 15.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roswell
55.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roswell
29.6 min
Salinas
28.8 min
Salinas +
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 28.8 min | Salinas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, while roswell offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $662,209. On public safety, Roswell is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Roswell has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Salinas 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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