Atlanta GA vs Sandy UT — 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, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 94,723 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 36.9 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 10.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 39.9% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 46.9% | 0.8% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 3.5% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 11.3% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Sandy
$50,592
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Sandy
$60,713
Sandy +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Sandy
45.7%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $50,592 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $60,713 | Sandy + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 45.7% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $672,082 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Sandy
1931
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1931 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Sandy, UT | 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
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Sandy +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sandy + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 24.6 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Atlanta. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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