Arlington vs Roswell
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Roswell
The Verdict
Roswell is 45.1% less expensive than Arlington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Arlington would need approximately $51,677 in Roswell to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $51,677 in Roswell.
Conversely, $75,000 in Roswell equals $108,850 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Roswell
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Roswell's 187, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $647,000. The $93,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,048 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,700/mo in Roswell, a monthly difference of $650.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 101 in Roswell. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $480/month in Roswell. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 98 in Roswell. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $392 in Roswell. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 103 in Roswell. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $145,000 in Arlington and $108,800 in Roswell. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $96,283 respectively. Roswell residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $2,539/month in Roswell. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Roswell, median rent of $1,700/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 62 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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