Category / Metric	Roswell	Los Angeles
Financial Overview
Median Income	$50,294	$79,701
Unemployment Rate	4.2%	5.5%
Housing Market
Median Home Price	$217,000	$1,002,500
Price per SqFt	$140	$616
Monthly Rent (1BR)	$935	$2,006
Housing Cost Index	107.5	173.0
Cost of Living
Groceries Index	91.6	107.9
Gas Price (Gallon)	$3.40	$3.98
Safety & Lifestyle
Violent Crime (per 100k)	778.3	732.5
Bachelor's Degree+	19.6%	39.2%
Air Quality (AQI)	35	52

Head-to-Head: Los Angeles vs. Roswell – Where Should You Put Down Roots?

Let’s cut to the chase. You’re looking at two polar opposites. Los Angeles is the global entertainment capital, a sprawling, sun-drenched metropolis where dreams are made and rent checks can break you. Roswell, New Mexico, is a quirky, historic town known for UFOs, a slower pace, and, crucially, a price tag that feels almost suspiciously low.

Choosing between them isn't just about picking a location; it's about picking a lifestyle. One is a high-stakes, high-reward gamble. The other is a budget-friendly, down-to-earth bet. Let’s break it down, data point by data point, to see which one wins the crown for your life stage.

The Vibe Check: Fast-Paced Metro vs. Laid-Back Desert Town

Los Angeles is a city of relentless energy. It’s a place of ambition, where the traffic is legendary, the beaches are iconic, and the culture is a global melting pot. You’re trading space and peace for access—to world-class food, art, music, and networking. The vibe is "grind now, shine later." It’s for the dreamers, the hustlers, and those who thrive on the buzz of a million possibilities at their doorstep.

Roswell is the definition of "slow down." It’s a desert town with a population under 50,000, where the biggest news might be a new UFO-themed mural or the annual festival. The pace is measured, the community is tight-knit, and the sky is vast and dark. It’s a place for those who value quiet, affordability, and a strong sense of place. It’s for the homebodies, the history buffs, and those who want their paycheck to stretch without sacrificing a quality of life built on comfort, not chaos.

Who is it for?

LA: The ambitious, the creative, the social butterflies, and anyone who needs endless options.
Roswell: The budget-conscious, the introverts, retirees, and those seeking a dramatic change of pace from big-city life.

The Dollar Power: Where Does Your $100k Feel Richer?

This is where the rubber meets the road. Let’s talk real purchasing power.

First, the raw numbers. To compare apples to apples, we need to look at the cost of basic necessities. Here’s a snapshot based on the data provided and cost-of-living indices.

Category	Los Angeles	Roswell	Winner
Median Income	$79,701	$50,294	Los Angeles
Median Home Price	$1,002,500	$217,000	Roswell
Rent (1BR)	$2,006	$935	Roswell
Housing Index	173.0 (73% above avg)	107.5 (7.5% above avg)	Roswell
Groceries	≈ 130 (vs nat'l avg)	≈ 105 (vs nat'l avg)	Roswell
Utilities	≈ 125 (vs nat'l avg)	≈ 110 (vs nat'l avg)	Roswell

Salary Wars: The $100k Test
Let’s imagine you earn a solid $100,000 a year.

In Los Angeles: Your $100k feels like about $75,000 after state income tax (approx. 9.3% effective rate) and the astronomical cost of living. Your housing will devour $40,000+ of that annually (rent alone). You’ll be comfortable, but not rolling in it. This is a city where even high earners feel the pinch.
In Roswell: Your $100k feels like over $95,000. Texas has 0% state income tax. Your rent or mortgage would be a fraction of the cost—maybe $12,000 a year. The rest? That’s yours for travel, savings, or a lifestyle that feels luxurious. You could be the big fish in a small pond with serious financial freedom.

Insight: The tax difference is a massive dealmaker. Roswell (NM) has state income tax (graduated, max 5.9%), but it’s still far lower than California’s. The real kicker is the housing. In LA, a median home is 5x the median income. In Roswell, it’s less than 4.5x. For a $100k earner, LA is a struggle; Roswell is a breeze.

Verdict: Roswell wins the dollar power battle by a landslide. Your money simply does more there.

The Housing Market: Buy vs. Rent & The Competition

Los Angeles: It’s a relentless Seller’s Market. With a median home price of $1,002,500, the barrier to entry is sky-high. You’re competing with cash offers, investors, and a limited inventory. Renting is the default for most under 40, but even that is punishing ($2,006/month for a 1BR). Owning is a dream for many, requiring a massive down payment and a high tolerance for risk. The market is volatile but always in demand due to its global appeal.

Roswell: Leans more towards a Balanced or Buyer’s Market. With a median home price of $217,000 and a lower housing index, you have real options. You can find a 3-bedroom house for what a studio apartment costs in LA. Renting is affordable ($935/month), and buying is a realistic goal for middle-income earners. The competition is lower, giving you more room to negotiate. The market is stable, driven by local needs rather than global speculation.

Verdict: For buyers, Roswell is the clear winner. For renters, both are tough, but LA’s rent is a financial burden, while Roswell’s is manageable.

The Dealbreakers: Traffic, Weather, and Safety

Traffic & Commute:

Los Angeles: Infamous. A 10-mile commute can easily take 60-90 minutes. The "rush hour" is a state of being. You will spend a significant portion of your life in your car. This is a major quality-of-life killer.
Roswell: Non-existent. A commute is typically 10-15 minutes, door-to-door. You’ll save hours of your week. This alone can reduce stress dramatically.

Weather:

Los Angeles: 54°F average is misleading. It’s a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers (often 90°F+) and mild, damp winters. No snow, but the Santa Ana winds and wildfire risk are real. The weather is a huge draw.
Roswell: 55°F average, but it’s a high desert climate. Summers are hot (often 95°F+ with low humidity), winters are cold with potential for snow and ice. It’s more extreme. You get all four seasons, but you must be prepared for them.

Verdict: LA wins on weather if you hate cold, but Roswell wins on commute and extreme weather predictability.

Crime & Safety (The Honesty Check):
The data shows a shocking twist. The violent crime rate per 100k is:

Los Angeles: 732.5
Roswell: 778.3

Statistically, Roswell has a slightly higher rate. However, context is king. In a massive metro like LA, crime is concentrated in specific neighborhoods. Roswell’s smaller population can mean a single high-profile incident skews the rate. In practice, LA requires more street smarts and neighborhood-specific research. Roswell feels safer in a small-town way, but the stats suggest it’s not a utopia.

Verdict: It’s a tie, but with a caveat. Safety is hyper-local in LA, while Roswell’s stats remind us no place is perfect.

The Final Verdict: Who Wins Your Heart?

This isn’t about which city is objectively better—it’s about which one fits your life’s blueprint.

Winner for Families: Roswell

The math is undeniable. A family of four can live comfortably in a nice home in Roswell for what a one-bedroom apartment costs in LA. The public schools, while not top-tier nationally, are community-focused. The lower crime perception (despite the stats) and slower pace create a stable environment. The financial freedom allows for savings, college funds, and travel. LA’s pressure cooker is tough on family budgets and sanity.

Winner for Singles/Young Professionals: Los Angeles

If you’re in your 20s or early 30s, career-focused, and crave social and cultural stimulation, Roswell will bore you to tears. LA’s networking opportunities, dating scene, and sheer volume of things to do are unmatched. Yes, you’ll struggle financially, but that’s the trade-off for access to industries that don’t exist in New Mexico. It’s a place to build a resume and a life.

Winner for Retirees: Roswell

Retirement is about making your fixed income last. Roswell is a retiree’s dream. The cost of living is low, the pace is gentle, and the weather (if you can handle the heat and cold) is pleasant for most of the year. You get a sense of community and space without the financial strain. LA, unless you have a massive nest egg, is a risky bet for retirees on a budget.

Pros & Cons: At a Glance

Los Angeles

Pros:

World-Class Opportunities: Unparalleled access to industries, culture, and networking.
Amazing Weather: Consistent sunshine and mild winters.
Diversity & Food: A global city with every cuisine imaginable.
Entertainment: Never bored.

Cons:

Staggering Cost of Living: The biggest hurdle.
Brutal Traffic: Wastes time and sanity.
High Stress: The "hustle" is relentless.
Homelessness Crisis: Visible and complex issue.

Roswell