Aurora IL 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)
Aurora, IL
Illinois · Population: 24,510
- Median HH Income$62,462
- Median Home Price$320,635
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+13.2%
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
Aurora
24,510
Sandy Springs
107,198
Sandy Springs +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Sandy Springs
37.1
Sandy Springs +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 107,198 | Sandy Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 37.1 | Sandy Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 63.2% | 59.3% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 20.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 11.4% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $57,405 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $694,123 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 50.7% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Sandy Springs
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 392 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1752 | Sandy Springs + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Aurora +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 17.8% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Aurora +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Sandy Springs
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Aurora +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 27.9 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,635. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Sandy Springs. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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