Brookhaven, GA vs. Roswell, GA: Cost of Living Comparison (2025)
Imagine two families, the Brookses and the Rosses, both looking to relocate to the Atlanta suburbs in 2025. The Brookses are considering a 2-bedroom apartment in Brookhaven, while the Rosses have their eye on a similar unit in Roswell. Let’s compare their potential monthly expenses line by line.
The Brookses find a place for $1,800 per month, while the Rosses lock in a Roswell apartment for $1,650. Advantage: Roswell. But the Brookses’ rent includes water, sewer, and trash—which the Rosses have to pay separately, adding $90 to their monthly bill. Slight edge: Brookhaven.
Both families head to the grocery store, list in hand. The Brookses spend $120 per week to feed their clan, totaling $480 for the month. The Rosses, favoring organic produce, shell out $140 weekly, or $560 monthly. Brookhaven takes the lead.
Of course, there’s more to the cost of living than rent and food. Let’s dive into a detailed comparison of housing, utilities, taxes, and lifestyle factors to see whether Brookhaven or Roswell offers the better value in 2025.
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Housing Costs: Brookhaven vs. Roswell
Housing is often the biggest line item in a monthly budget. Here’s how typical costs compare for common housing types in Brookhaven and Roswell:
| Housing Type | Brookhaven | Roswell |
|---|---|---|
| 2BR Apartment (Monthly Rent) | $1,800 | $1,650 |
| 3BR House (Median Price) | $480,000 | $420,000 |
🏆 Winner: Roswell. Apartments and homes in Roswell cost about 10% less on average than comparable properties in Brookhaven.
Utilities and Energy Costs
Utility costs are fairly similar between the two cities. The average monthly utility bill for a 1,000 sq. ft. apartment in Brookhaven is $170, compared to $160 in Roswell. Both cities experience hot, humid summers and mild winters, with summer electric bills about 30% higher than winter.
🏆 Winner: Roswell, but only by a slight margin. Roswell residents save around $10 per month on utilities compared to Brookhaven.
Groceries and Daily Expenses
Groceries and everyday items cost about 5% less in Roswell than in Brookhaven. A gallon of milk averages $3.60 in Brookhaven and $3.40 in Roswell, while a loaf of bread is $2.80 vs. $2.65.
Eating out is also a bit cheaper in Roswell. A meal for two at a mid-range restaurant averages $60 in Brookhaven and $55 in Roswell.
🏆 Winner: Roswell. Expect to spend $40-50 less per month on food and daily expenses living in Roswell compared to Brookhaven.
Taxes and Fees
Both cities have similar property tax rates of around 1.1% of assessed home value. However, Brookhaven charges slightly higher fees for city services like waste management and water.
HOA fees are common in both cities for townhomes and condos, typically ranging from $200-400 per month. In Brookhaven, these fees often include landscaping and exterior maintenance.
🏆 Winner: Roswell. With lower city fees and home values, Roswell has a slight edge over Brookhaven in the taxes and fees category.
Cost of Living Summary
| Category | Brookhaven | Roswell |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (2BR Rent) | $1,800 | $1,650 |
| Utilities | $170 | $160 |
| Groceries | $480 | $440 |
| Transportation | $80 | $100 |
| Taxes & Fees | $300 | $270 |
| Misc Expenses | $400 | $380 |
| Est. Monthly Total | $3,230 | $3,000 |
Note: Figures above are estimates based on pre-tax monthly income. See our guide on sample monthly budgets for Brookhaven for more details.
Lifestyle Fit: Brookhaven vs Roswell
While Roswell is more affordable overall, Brookhaven has some lifestyle advantages:
- Brookhaven is more walkable, with a Walk Score of 45 compared to Roswell’s 28.
- Brookhaven has more public transit, with a Transit Score of 37 vs. Roswell’s 19.
- Brookhaven is about 5 miles closer to downtown Atlanta, saving 10-15 minutes on the average commute.
However, Roswell offers more square footage for the money, lower noise levels, and a small-town feel that some residents prefer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Brookhaven more affordable than Roswell?
A: No, Roswell is about 5-10% cheaper than Brookhaven across major cost of living categories like housing, food, and utilities.
Q: Which city has lower rent, Brookhaven or Roswell?
A: Roswell has lower average rent, with a typical 2-bedroom apartment costing $1,650 per month compared to $1,800 in Brookhaven.
Q: Is it cheaper to buy a home in Brookhaven or Roswell?
A: Roswell homes cost about 10% less on average than comparable homes in Brookhaven. The median price for a 3-bedroom house is $420,000 in Roswell and $480,000 in Brookhaven.
The Bottom Line: Brookhaven vs. Roswell Cost of Living
While Brookhaven and Roswell are both appealing Atlanta suburbs, Roswell comes out ahead in this cost of living comparison. A household moving from Brookhaven to Roswell could save $200-300 per month on expenses like housing, food, and utilities.
However, Brookhaven may still be the better choice for those who value walkability, transit access, and proximity to Atlanta. It’s also worth factoring in moving costs when relocating—our guide to moving company options and pricing can help with budgeting.
Ultimately, the right choice between Brookhaven and Roswell depends on your lifestyle priorities and monthly budget. We recommend visiting both cities and touring different neighborhoods to get a feel for which area is the best fit.