Arvada CO 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)
Arvada, CO
Colorado · Population: 122,835
- Median HH Income$113,396
- Median Home Price$617,536
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+50.0%
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
Arvada
122,835
Arvada +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arvada
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Arvada
40.2
Sandy Springs
37.1
Sandy Springs +
Foreign Born
Arvada
5.2%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Black
Arvada
1.0%
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Asian
Arvada
2.6%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Arvada
15.4%
Arvada +
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Arvada
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 107,198 | Arvada + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 37.1 | Sandy Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 82.8% | 59.3% | Arvada + |
| Black | 1.0% | 20.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 11.4% | Arvada + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arvada
$113,396
Arvada +
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Per Capita Income
Arvada
$56,655
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arvada
$76,653
Arvada +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Arvada
3.9%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Arvada
6.0%
Arvada +
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arvada
50.0%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,396 | $101,593 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Income | $56,655 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $57,405 | Arvada + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 7.4% | Arvada + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arvada
$617,536
Arvada +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $617,536 | $694,123 | Arvada + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 50.7% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
512
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
3234
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 392 | Sandy Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1752 | Sandy Springs + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
23.4%
Arvada +
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.3%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arvada
15.1%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.4%
Arvada +
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arvada
19.9%
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Sandy Springs +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arvada
10.3%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 23.7% | Arvada + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 8.9% | Arvada + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 17.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Arvada +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arvada
75.0%
Arvada +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Arvada + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Arvada + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arvada
28.6 min
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 27.9 min | Sandy Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arvada leads in median household income at $113,396, while arvada offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $617,536. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Arvada. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Arvada has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arvada scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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