Roswell GA vs Winston-Salem NC — 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Roswell
92,577
Winston-Salem
118,578
Winston-Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roswell
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Roswell
40.0
Winston-Salem
37.5
Winston-Salem +
Foreign Born
Roswell
18.7%
Roswell +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Roswell
65.0%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Roswell
11.1%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Roswell
4.5%
Roswell +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Roswell
16.8%
Roswell +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Roswell
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,577 | 118,578 | Winston-Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 37.5 | Winston-Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 5.7% | Roswell + |
| White | 65.0% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 11.1% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 1.3% | Roswell + |
| Hispanic | 16.8% | 8.9% | Roswell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roswell
$57,405
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Winston-Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Roswell
4.3%
Roswell +
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
Winston-Salem
45.8%
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $124,422 | $63,900 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $65,454 | $46,062 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | Winston-Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.6% | Roswell + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 16.3% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 64.8% | 45.8% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roswell
$662,209
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $662,209 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% | 46.8% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roswell
392
Roswell +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roswell
1752
Roswell +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Winston-Salem, NC | 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%
Roswell +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roswell
9.9%
Roswell +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roswell
17.4%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.6% | 42.7% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 13.1% | Roswell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.8% | 17.4% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.8% | Roswell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 14.4% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roswell
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roswell
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Winston-Salem, NC | 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
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roswell
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roswell
29.6 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Roswell is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Winston-Salem. Roswell has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roswell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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