Roswell GA vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%

Scottsdale, AZ

Arizona · Population: 242,169

  • Median HH Income$107,372
  • Median Home Price$858,307
  • Unemployment3.4%
  • Bachelor's+61.5%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Roswell
92,577
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roswell
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Roswell
40.0
Roswell +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Roswell
18.7%
Roswell +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Roswell
65.0%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Roswell
11.1%
Roswell +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Roswell
4.5%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Roswell
16.8%
Roswell +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Roswell
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Scottsdale
$107,372
Per Capita Income
Roswell
$65,454
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roswell
$57,405
Scottsdale
$59,120
Scottsdale +
Unemployment Rate
Roswell
4.3%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Roswell
7.4%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
Scottsdale
61.5%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roswell
$662,209
Roswell +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
Scottsdale
67.6%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roswell
392
Roswell +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roswell
1752
Roswell +
Scottsdale
2150

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Scottsdale
26.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roswell
13.8%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roswell
9.9%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roswell
17.4%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roswell
8.3%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roswell
N/A
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roswell
N/A
Scottsdale
10.3 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roswell
55.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roswell
29.6 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +

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 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roswell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.

Compare More Cities

About Roswell & Scottsdale