Jacksonville FL 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)
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
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
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jacksonville
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Jacksonville
36.4
Jacksonville +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Jacksonville
12.2%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Jacksonville
51.2%
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Black
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Asian
Jacksonville
4.9%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Jacksonville
12.0%
Jacksonville +
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Jacksonville
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 107,198 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.1 | Jacksonville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 51.2% | 59.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 30.1% | 20.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 4.9% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 12.0% | 11.4% | Jacksonville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jacksonville
$66,981
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Jacksonville
$37,269
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Jacksonville
4.6%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Jacksonville
15.0%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jacksonville
31.9%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,981 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,269 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $57,405 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.9% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,396 | $694,123 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.4% | 50.7% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Sandy Springs
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
Sandy Springs
1752
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 392 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1752 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
34.8%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.2%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jacksonville
18.8%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.9%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
14.8%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 17.8% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jacksonville
75.0%
Jacksonville +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Jacksonville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Jacksonville +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 27.9 min | Jacksonville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Sandy Springs. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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