Elizabeth NJ 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)
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
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
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Sandy Springs
16.8%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 107,198 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 37.1 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 16.8% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 59.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 17.1% | 20.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 11.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $57,405 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Elizabeth +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Sandy Springs
50.7%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $694,123 | Elizabeth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 50.7% | Sandy Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Sandy Springs
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Sandy Springs
1752
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 392 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1752 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Elizabeth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 27.9 min | Sandy Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while elizabeth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $531,592. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Sandy Springs. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Elizabeth 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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