Roswell GA vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Roswell
92,577
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roswell
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Roswell
40.0
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Roswell
18.7%
Roswell +
Washington
13.3%
White
Roswell
65.0%
Roswell +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Roswell
11.1%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Roswell
4.5%
Roswell +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Roswell
16.8%
Roswell +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Roswell
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,577 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 13.3% | Roswell + |
| White | 65.0% | 39.1% | Roswell + |
| Black | 11.1% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 4.1% | Roswell + |
| Hispanic | 16.8% | 11.6% | Roswell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Washington
$106,287
Per Capita Income
Roswell
$65,454
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roswell
$57,405
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Roswell
4.3%
Roswell +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
Washington
63.6%
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $124,422 | $106,287 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $65,454 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.5% | Roswell + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 14.5% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 64.8% | 63.6% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roswell
$662,209
Washington
$580,173
Washington +
Homeownership Rate
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $662,209 | $580,173 | Washington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% | 41.1% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roswell
392
Roswell +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roswell
1752
Roswell +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 398 | Roswell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1999 | Roswell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roswell
24.6%
Washington
24.6%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roswell
9.1%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
Washington
14.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roswell
9.9%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roswell
17.4%
Roswell +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
Washington
9.7%
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.6% | 24.6% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.8% | 14.6% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 24.0% | Roswell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 9.7% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roswell
N/A
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roswell
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roswell
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roswell
29.6 min
Roswell +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Washington, DC | 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 washington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,173. On public safety, Roswell is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Washington. Roswell has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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