Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Sandy Springs
37.1
Sandy Springs +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Sandy Springs
16.8%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 107,198 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 37.1 | Sandy Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 16.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 59.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 28.8% | 20.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 11.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $57,405 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Fort Lauderdale +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $694,123 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 50.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Sandy Springs
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Sandy Springs
1752
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 392 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1752 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 27.9 min | Sandy Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while fort Lauderdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,297. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Sandy Springs. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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