Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Sandy Springs
16.8%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 107,198 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 37.1 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 16.8% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 59.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 34.1% | 20.0% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 11.4% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Charlotte +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $57,405 | Charlotte + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Charlotte +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $694,123 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 50.7% | Charlotte + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | 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
Charlotte
30.1%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 17.8% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Charlotte +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Charlotte +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Charlotte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charlotte + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 27.9 min | Charlotte + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while charlotte offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,070. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charlotte. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Charlotte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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