| Index | Roswell | New Mexico | National |
| Cost of living | 89 | 94 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Health care | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 69 | 85 | 100 |
| Transportation | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 100 | 97 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 96 | 96 | 100 |
| Household Items | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 100 | 96 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Roswell can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Roswell cost of living index is 89, which is 11% lower than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 11 residents in Roswell to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 36% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 64% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Is Roswell an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Roswell is 38.2% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 15.2% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Roswell has a median household income of $67,084, which is 17.5% lower than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Roswell, the groceries index registers 1.9% lower than the national average.
Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday household expenses, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Roswell, the standard sales tax rate starts at 5%, and the income tax rates commence at 1.7%.
Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Roswell, the utilities index registers 0.2% lower than the national average.
The cost of living data for Roswell shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $79,115 | $6,593 | $1,846 | $2,374 |
| Renters | $53,837 | $4,486 | $1,256 | $1,615 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| New Mexico | 5% | 8.688% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| New Mexico | 1.7% | 5.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Midway, NM | 651 | 81 | 19.4% |
| Dexter, NM | 1,098 | 85 | 14.9% |
| Roswell, NM | 49,357 | 89 | 10.8% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Covina, CA | 49,338 | 158 | 57.5% |
| Sheboygan, WI | 49,294 | 90 | 10.4% |
| Jeffersonville, IN | 49,450 | 93 | 7.0% |
| Wauwatosa, WI | 49,450 | 108 | 7.5% |
| Ceres, CA | 49,472 | 125 | 25.4% |
| Roswell, NM | 49,357 | 89 | 10.8% |
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