Lancaster vs Roswell
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lancaster
Roswell
The Verdict
Living in Roswell costs 13.3% less than Lancaster. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Lancaster, you would need $66,211 in Roswell.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Lancaster has the same purchasing power as $66,211 in Roswell.
Conversely, $75,000 in Roswell equals $84,956 in Lancaster.
Living in Lancaster vs Roswell
Housing Costs
Lancaster's housing index of 148 is lower Roswell's 187, translating to median home prices of $447,000 vs $647,000. The $200,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,996 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,625/mo in Lancaster compared to $1,700/mo in Roswell, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 109 in Lancaster and 101 in Roswell. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $518/month in Lancaster vs $480/month in Roswell. Roswell offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 111 in Lancaster and 98 in Roswell. Monthly utility bills average approximately $444 in Lancaster vs $392 in Roswell. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Lancaster 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 $81,500 in Lancaster and $108,800 in Roswell. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,672 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 $1,902/month to housing in Lancaster vs $2,539/month in Roswell. In Lancaster, median rent of $1,625/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 39 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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