Athens GA 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Athens
57.6%
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 107,198 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 37.1 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 57.6% | 59.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 26.2% | 20.0% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 11.4% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $57,405 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Sandy Springs
50.7%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $694,123 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 50.7% | Sandy Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Sandy Springs
392
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Sandy Springs
1752
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 392 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1752 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Sandy Springs
13.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Sandy Springs
7.3%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 23.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 13.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Sandy Springs
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 27.9 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Sandy Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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