Roswell GA vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Roswell
92,577
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roswell
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Roswell
40.0
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
Roswell
18.7%
Roswell +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Roswell
65.0%
Roswell +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Roswell
11.1%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Roswell
4.5%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Roswell
16.8%
Roswell +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Roswell
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,577 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 9.1% | Roswell + |
| White | 65.0% | 61.6% | Roswell + |
| Black | 11.1% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 16.8% | 8.9% | Roswell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Per Capita Income
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roswell
$57,405
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Roswell
4.3%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $124,422 | $90,685 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $65,454 | $47,372 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 8.4% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 64.8% | 40.4% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roswell
$662,209
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
Virginia Beach
64.9%
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $662,209 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% | 64.9% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roswell
392
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roswell
1752
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roswell
9.9%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roswell
17.4%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.6% | 36.5% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 11.8% | Roswell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.8% | 16.7% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 12.1% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roswell
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roswell
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roswell
55.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roswell
29.6 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Roswell. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach 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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