Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
Sandy Springs
107,198
Sandy Springs +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Sandy Springs +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 107,198 | Sandy Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 37.1 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 81.8% | 59.3% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 20.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 11.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Sandy Springs
69.9%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $57,405 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 69.9% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Sandy Springs +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Sandy Springs
50.7%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $694,123 | Sandy Springs + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 50.7% | Sandy Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 392 | Sandy Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1752 | Sandy Springs + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Sandy Springs +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 23.7% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 7.9% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 8.9% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 17.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Boulder +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boulder + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 27.9 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while sandy Springs offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $694,123. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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