City Comparison

Kalamazoo vs Roswell

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Kalamazoo

Michigan
88
Below Average
$191,000
Median Home
$925/mo
Median Rent
$51,000
Median Income

Roswell

Georgia
113
Above Average
$647,000
Median Home
$1,700/mo
Median Rent
$108,800
Median Income

The Verdict

22.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 22.1%, with Kalamazoo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Kalamazoo has equivalent purchasing power to $96,307 in Roswell.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
60
Kalamazoo
187
Roswell
Groceries
97
Kalamazoo
101
Roswell
Utilities
96
Kalamazoo
98
Roswell
Transportation
101
Kalamazoo
110
Roswell
Healthcare
96
Kalamazoo
103
Roswell

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Kalamazoo has the same purchasing power as $96,307 in Roswell.

Conversely, $75,000 in Roswell equals $58,407 in Kalamazoo.

Living in Kalamazoo vs Roswell

Housing Costs

Kalamazoo's housing index of 60 is lower Roswell's 187, translating to median home prices of $191,000 vs $647,000. The $456,000 difference in home prices means roughly $29,640 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $925/mo in Kalamazoo compared to $1,700/mo in Roswell, a monthly difference of $775.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Kalamazoo and 101 in Roswell. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Kalamazoo 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 96 in Kalamazoo and 98 in Roswell. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Kalamazoo vs $392 in Roswell. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 96 in Kalamazoo and 103 in Roswell. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $51,000 in Kalamazoo and $108,800 in Roswell. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,955 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 $1,190/month to housing in Kalamazoo vs $2,539/month in Roswell. In Kalamazoo, median rent of $925/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 127 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kalamazoo is 22.1% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 113.
A $75,000 salary in Kalamazoo has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $96,307 in Roswell, based on the cost of living difference.
Kalamazoo's housing index is 60 with median homes at $191,000, while Roswell's is 187 with median homes at $647,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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