Garland TX 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)
Garland, TX
Texas · Population: 245,298
- Median HH Income$74,717
- Median Home Price$289,605
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
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
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Sandy Springs
16.8%
White
Garland
37.5%
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 107,198 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.1 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 16.8% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 59.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 15.3% | 20.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 7.8% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 11.4% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Garland +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $57,405 | Garland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $694,123 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 50.7% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 392 | Sandy Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1752 | Sandy Springs + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.8% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Garland +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Sandy Springs
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garland, TX | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Garland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 27.9 min | Sandy Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while garland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,605. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Garland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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