Carmel IN 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)
Carmel, IN
Indiana · Population: 100,501
- Median HH Income$134,602
- Median Home Price$570,592
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+74.5%
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
Carmel
100,501
Sandy Springs
107,198
Sandy Springs +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Sandy Springs
37.1
Sandy Springs +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Sandy Springs +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 107,198 | Sandy Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 37.1 | Sandy Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 77.5% | 59.3% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 20.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 7.8% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 11.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Carmel +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Sandy Springs
69.9%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $101,593 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $57,405 | Carmel + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 3.8% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 7.4% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 69.9% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Carmel +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $694,123 | Carmel + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 50.7% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Sandy Springs
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Sandy Springs
1752
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 392 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1752 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Sandy Springs
13.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 13.8% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 8.9% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.8% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Sandy Springs +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Sandy Springs
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Sandy Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Carmel +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 27.9 min | Carmel + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while carmel offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $570,592. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Sandy Springs. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Sandy Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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