Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elk Grove, CA
VS
Roswell, GA
🏆 Roswell leads 16 of 23 categories
Elk Grove
California
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$115,864
Violent Crime Index
50
Population
176,105 ✓ Larger
Roswell
Georgia
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$122,924 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
42 ✓ Safer
Population
92,770
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elk Grove, CA
Pros
Violent crime is well below the national average (189.9 vs 380/100k)
Cons
Higher rents — median is $2,076/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $560,500
Higher unemployment (6.4% vs 4.3%)
Cost of living runs 8% higher than Roswell
Roswell, GA
Pros
16% less violent crime than Elk Grove
Rent averages $457/mo less ($1,619 vs $2,076)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (4.3%)
More college-educated — 63.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Violent crime is well below the national average (160.1 vs 380/100k)
Homes cost $81k less ($479,400 vs $560,500)
Cons
Nothing stands out — a close match here.
Key Differences at a Glance
Elk Grove
Summer Heat
3.2°F warmer
July avg high 92.6°F vs 89.4°F
Roswell
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 100.9 vs 108.9 (100 = US avg)
Roswell
Median Income
$7,060
$122,924 vs $115,864/yr
Roswell
Violent Crime
16% lower
160.1 vs 189.9 per 100k
Roswell
Median Home Value
$81k less
$479,400 vs $560,500
Roswell
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
4.3% vs 6.4% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Roswell, GA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 108.9⚠ High | 100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $560,500⚠ High | $479,400⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,076⚠ High | $1,619⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $115,864 | $122,924 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4%⚠ High | 4.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 33.1 min⚠ High | 29.1 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 16.7% | 25.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 53 | 45 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 50 | 42 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 59 | 49 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (96) | A- (117) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 22.7:1 | 14.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 37.0% | 63.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 90.7% | 94.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Elk Grove Unified | Fulton County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.0°F ✓ Warmer | 51.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 92.6°F ✓ Warmer | 89.4°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 18.1" ✓ Drier | 53.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 1.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 176,105 ✓ Larger | 92,770 |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 40.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% ✓ Higher | 70.8% |
| Under 18 | 25.9% ✓ More | 24.0% |
| Over 65 | 13.3% | 15.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elk Grove's cost of living index is 108.9 vs Roswell's 100.9 (US average = 100).
Roswell is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Roswell leads 16 of 23 categories. Elk Grove wins 7 and Roswell wins 16. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Elk Grove to Roswell or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($560,500 vs $479,400 median home), income ($115,864 vs $122,924), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elk Grove, CA and Roswell, GA are about 2,072 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.