Fort Wayne IN 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 Wayne, IN
Indiana · Population: 266,235
- Median HH Income$60,293
- Median Home Price$245,993
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.5%
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 Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Wayne
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Black
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Asian
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Sandy Springs +
Spanish at Home
Fort Wayne
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 266,235 | 107,198 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 37.1 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 9.0% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 66.4% | 59.3% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 14.6% | 20.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 11.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fort Wayne +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,293 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,884 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $57,405 | Fort Wayne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.5% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,993 | $694,123 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 50.7% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Sandy Springs
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
Sandy Springs
1752
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 392 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1752 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Sandy Springs +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Sandy Springs
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Sandy Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 27.9 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 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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