Cedar Rapids IA 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)
Cedar Rapids, IA
Iowa · Population: 136,859
- Median HH Income$67,859
- Median Home Price$210,271
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
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
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Cedar Rapids +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Sandy Springs +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 107,198 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 37.1 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 79.7% | 59.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 20.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 11.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Cedar Rapids +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $57,405 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $694,123 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 50.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Sandy Springs
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Sandy Springs
1752
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 392 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1752 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Sandy Springs +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 8.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 17.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Sandy Springs +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Sandy Springs
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Sandy Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 27.9 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while cedar Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,271. On public safety, Cedar Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Sandy Springs. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, 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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