Charleston WV 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)
Charleston, WV
West Virginia · Population: 47,918
- Median HH Income$64,512
- Median Home Price$164,532
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
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
Charleston
47,918
Sandy Springs
107,198
Sandy Springs +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Sandy Springs
37.1
Sandy Springs +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Sandy Springs +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 107,198 | Sandy Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 37.1 | Sandy Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 76.6% | 59.3% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 20.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 11.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Sandy Springs +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $57,405 | Sandy Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $694,123 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 50.7% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 392 | Sandy Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1752 | Sandy Springs + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.9% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.8% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Charleston +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Sandy Springs
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 27.9 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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