Roswell GA vs Surprise 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Roswell
92,577
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roswell
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Roswell
40.0
Roswell +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Roswell
18.7%
Roswell +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Roswell
65.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Roswell
11.1%
Roswell +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Roswell
4.5%
Roswell +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Roswell
16.8%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Roswell
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,577 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 41.6 | Roswell + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 6.8% | Roswell + |
| White | 65.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 11.1% | 4.8% | Roswell + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 2.6% | Roswell + |
| Hispanic | 16.8% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Surprise
$93,371
Per Capita Income
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roswell
$57,405
Surprise
$59,120
Surprise +
Unemployment Rate
Roswell
4.3%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Surprise
7.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $124,422 | $93,371 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $65,454 | $39,604 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | Surprise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 7.8% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 64.8% | 31.0% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roswell
$662,209
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Roswell
71.2%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $662,209 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roswell
392
Roswell +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roswell
1752
Roswell +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 450 | Roswell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2150 | Roswell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Surprise
29.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
Surprise
14.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roswell
9.9%
Roswell +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roswell
17.4%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
Surprise
10.4%
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.6% | 29.4% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 11.2% | Roswell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.8% | 14.2% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.5% | Roswell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 10.4% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roswell
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roswell
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roswell
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roswell
29.6 min
Roswell +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 32.8 min | Roswell + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, while surprise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,520. On public safety, Roswell is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise 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%.
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