Jackson MS 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)
Jackson, MS
Mississippi · Population: 149,827
- Median HH Income$43,238
- Median Home Price$88,100
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
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
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Sandy Springs +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 107,198 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.1 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 14.5% | 59.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 81.8% | 20.0% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 11.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Sandy Springs +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $57,405 | Sandy Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Sandy Springs
50.7%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $694,123 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 50.7% | Sandy Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Sandy Springs
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 392 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1752 | Sandy Springs + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 17.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Sandy Springs +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Sandy Springs
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Sandy Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 27.9 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Jackson is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 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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