Huntsville AL 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)
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
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
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Huntsville +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Sandy Springs +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 107,198 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.1 | Huntsville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 58.4% | 59.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 29.7% | 20.0% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 11.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Sandy Springs +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $57,405 | Sandy Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $694,123 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 50.7% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Sandy Springs
1752
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 392 | Sandy Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1752 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 17.8% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Huntsville +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Huntsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Huntsville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 27.9 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Huntsville. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Huntsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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