Atlanta 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Sandy Springs +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 107,198 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 37.1 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 39.9% | 59.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 46.9% | 20.0% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 11.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $57,405 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Sandy Springs
50.7%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $694,123 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 50.7% | Sandy Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Sandy Springs
392
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Sandy Springs
1752
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
29.3%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 17.8% | Atlanta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Sandy Springs
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
28.7 min
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 27.9 min | Sandy Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Atlanta. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and 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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