Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Olathe, KS
VS
Roswell, GA
🏆 Olathe leads 12 of 23 categories
Olathe
Kansas
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$108,077
Violent Crime Index
52
Population
142,114 ✓ Larger
Roswell
Georgia
11
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.
Olathe, KS
Pros
Homes cost $162k less ($317,900 vs $479,400)
Rent averages $390/mo less ($1,229 vs $1,619)
Violent crime is well below the national average (196.0 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.1 pts lower (3.2%)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.3)
Cons
Median income trails Roswell by $14,847/yr
Roswell, GA
Pros
18% less violent crime than Olathe
Violent crime is well below the national average (160.1 vs 380/100k)
Households earn $14,847 more per year on average
More college-educated — 63.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 52°F vs 39°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $479,400
Higher rents — median is $1,619/mo
Higher unemployment (4.3% vs 3.2%)
Longer commutes — 29.1 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Olathe
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 93.3 vs 100.9 (100 = US avg)
Olathe
Median Home Value
$162k less
$317,900 vs $479,400
Olathe
Unemployment
1.1 pp lower
3.2% vs 4.3% unemployment
Roswell
Median Income
$14,847
$122,924 vs $108,077/yr
Roswell
Violent Crime
18% lower
160.1 vs 196.0 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Olathe, KS | Roswell, GA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 93.3 ✓ Cheaper | 100.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $317,900⚠ High ✓ Lower | $479,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,229 ✓ Lower | $1,619⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $108,077 | $122,924 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% ✓ Lower | 4.3%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 21.5 min ✓ Shorter | 29.1 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 16.3% | 25.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 49 | 45 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 52 | 42 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 45 ✓ Safer | 49 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (125) ✓ Better | A- (117) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 4.7:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 50.9% | 63.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 94.7% | 94.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | School for Deaf | Fulton County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.7°F | 51.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 88.2°F | 89.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 40.7" ✓ Drier | 53.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 13.8" | 1.3" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 142,114 ✓ Larger | 92,770 |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 40.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.5% ✓ Higher | 70.8% |
| Under 18 | 26.8% ✓ More | 24.0% |
| Over 65 | 12.6% | 15.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Olathe's cost of living index is 93.3 vs Roswell's 100.9 (US average = 100).
Olathe is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Olathe leads 12 of 23 categories. Olathe wins 12 and Roswell wins 11. 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 Olathe to Roswell or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($317,900 vs $479,400 median home), income ($108,077 vs $122,924), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Olathe, KS and Roswell, GA are about 670 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.