Birmingham AL 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)
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
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
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Sandy Springs +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 107,198 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 37.1 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 25.6% | 59.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 67.1% | 20.0% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 11.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Sandy Springs +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $57,405 | Sandy Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Sandy Springs
50.7%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $694,123 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 50.7% | Sandy Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Sandy Springs
1752
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 392 | Sandy Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1752 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 17.8% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 27.9 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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