Carmel vs Roswell
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Carmel
Roswell
The Verdict
Living in Carmel costs 6.2% less than Roswell. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Carmel, you would need $79,953 in Roswell.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Carmel has the same purchasing power as $79,953 in Roswell.
Conversely, $75,000 in Roswell equals $70,354 in Carmel.
Living in Carmel vs Roswell
Housing Costs
Carmel's housing index of 134 is lower Roswell's 187, translating to median home prices of $478,000 vs $647,000. The $169,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,980 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,700/mo in Carmel compared to $1,700/mo in Roswell, a monthly difference of $0.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Carmel and 101 in Roswell. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Carmel 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 97 in Carmel and 98 in Roswell. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Carmel vs $392 in Roswell. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 89 in Carmel 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 $141,500 in Carmel and $108,800 in Roswell. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $133,491 and $96,283 respectively. Carmel residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,302/month to housing in Carmel vs $2,539/month in Roswell. In Carmel, median rent of $1,700/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 53 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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