Buffalo NY 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)
Buffalo, NY
New York · Population: 276,397
- Median HH Income$48,050
- Median Home Price$241,380
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
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
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 107,198 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.1 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 45.4% | 59.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 32.9% | 20.0% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 7.8% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 11.4% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $57,405 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Sandy Springs
50.7%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $694,123 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 50.7% | Sandy Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Sandy Springs
1752
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 392 | Sandy Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1752 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.8% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Buffalo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 27.9 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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