Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Sandy Springs
16.8%
White
Houston
35.5%
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 107,198 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.1 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 16.8% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 59.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 22.9% | 20.0% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 11.4% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $57,405 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Sandy Springs
50.7%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $694,123 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 50.7% | Sandy Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
38.0%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.8% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Sandy Springs
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 27.9 min | Sandy Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Houston 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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