Jersey City NJ 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)
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
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
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Sandy Springs
16.8%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 107,198 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.1 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 16.8% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 59.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 21.4% | 20.0% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 7.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 11.4% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $57,405 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Jersey City +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Sandy Springs
50.7%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $694,123 | Jersey City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 50.7% | Sandy Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Sandy Springs
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Sandy Springs
1752
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 392 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1752 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.8% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Jersey City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Jersey City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 27.9 min | Sandy Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while jersey City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $664,939. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Sandy Springs. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Jersey City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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