Anchorage AK vs Sandy Springs GA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Anchorage, AK
Alaska · Population: 289,069
- Median HH Income$98,152
- Median Home Price$414,014
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Sandy Springs, GA
Georgia · Population: 107,198
- Median HH Income$101,593
- Median Home Price$694,123
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+69.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Sandy Springs +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 107,198 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 37.1 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 58.3% | 59.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 5.3% | 20.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 7.8% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 11.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $57,405 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $694,123 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 50.7% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 392 | Sandy Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 1752 | Sandy Springs + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Sandy Springs +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 17.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Anchorage +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Anchorage + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 27.9 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while anchorage offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,014. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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