Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Grand Rapids, MI
VS
Roswell, GA
🏆 Roswell leads 17 of 23 categories
Grand Rapids
Michigan
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.2 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$61,634
Violent Crime Index
240⚠ High
Population
198,096 ✓ Larger
Roswell
Georgia
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High
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.
Grand Rapids, MI
Pros
Homes cost $276k less ($203,900 vs $479,400)
Rent averages $481/mo less ($1,138 vs $1,619)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 82°F vs 89°F
6% cheaper overall cost of living than Roswell
Cons
Median income trails Roswell by $61,290/yr
Violent crime (910.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2480.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.6% vs 4.3%)
Roswell, GA
Pros
Households earn $61,290 more per year on average
82% less violent crime than Grand Rapids
Violent crime is well below the national average (160.1 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 63.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.3 pts lower (4.3%)
Milder winters — January highs near 52°F vs 31°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $479,400
Higher rents — median is $1,619/mo
Longer commutes — 29.1 min average each way
Cost of living runs 6% higher than Grand Rapids
Key Differences at a Glance
Grand Rapids
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 95.2 vs 100.9 (100 = US avg)
Grand Rapids
Median Home Value
$276k less
$203,900 vs $479,400
Roswell
Median Income
$61,290
$122,924 vs $61,634/yr
Roswell
Violent Crime
82% lower
160.1 vs 910.1 per 100k
Roswell
Unemployment
1.3 pp lower
4.3% vs 5.6% unemployment
Roswell
Summer Heat
7.0°F warmer
July avg high 89.4°F vs 82.4°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Roswell, GA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 95.2 ✓ Cheaper | 100.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $203,900 ✓ Lower | $479,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,138 ✓ Lower | $1,619⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,634 | $122,924 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High | 4.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.2 min ✓ Shorter | 29.1 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 10.7% | 25.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 191⚠ High | 45 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 240⚠ High | 42 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High | 49 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) | A- (117) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.3:1 | 14.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 39.3% | 63.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 89.3% | 94.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Grand Rapids Public Schools | Fulton County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.5°F | 51.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 82.4°F | 89.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.6" ✓ Drier | 53.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 74.9" | 1.3" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 198,096 ✓ Larger | 92,770 |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 40.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.5% | 70.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.5% | 24.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.8% | 15.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Grand Rapids's cost of living index is 95.2 vs Roswell's 100.9 (US average = 100).
Grand Rapids is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Roswell leads 17 of 23 categories. Grand Rapids wins 6 and Roswell wins 17. 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 Grand Rapids to Roswell or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($203,900 vs $479,400 median home), income ($61,634 vs $122,924), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Grand Rapids, MI and Roswell, GA are about 620 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.