Ann Arbor MI 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)
Ann Arbor, MI
Michigan · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$531,674
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Ann Arbor
N/A
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ann Arbor
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Ann Arbor
N/A
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Ann Arbor
N/A
Sandy Springs
16.8%
White
Ann Arbor
N/A
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Black
Ann Arbor
N/A
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Asian
Ann Arbor
N/A
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Hispanic
Ann Arbor
N/A
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Ann Arbor
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 107,198 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 37.1 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 16.8% | - |
| White | N/A | 59.3% | - |
| Black | N/A | 20.0% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 7.8% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 11.4% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Per Capita Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ann Arbor
$58,052
Ann Arbor +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ann Arbor
N/A
Sandy Springs
69.9%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $101,593 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $80,857 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $57,405 | Ann Arbor + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 3.8% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 7.4% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 69.9% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ann Arbor
$531,674
Ann Arbor +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,674 | $694,123 | Ann Arbor + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 50.7% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
471
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
1590
Ann Arbor +
Sandy Springs
1752
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 392 | Sandy Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1752 | Ann Arbor + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
25.8%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.4%
Ann Arbor +
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.0%
Ann Arbor +
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Sandy Springs +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
9.1%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.8% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 7.9% | Ann Arbor + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.0% | 8.9% | Ann Arbor + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 17.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
48.4°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
10.7 µg/m³
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Sandy Springs +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ann Arbor
55.0%
Sandy Springs
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Sandy Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ann Arbor
N/A
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 27.9 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Ann Arbor offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $531,674. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Ann Arbor. Sandy Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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