Grand Rapids MI 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)
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
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
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 107,198 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 37.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 61.0% | 59.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 20.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 11.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Grand Rapids +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $57,405 | Grand Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $694,123 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 50.7% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Sandy Springs
1752
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 392 | Sandy Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1752 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Grand Rapids +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Sandy Springs +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Sandy Springs
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Sandy Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 27.9 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. 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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