Lakeland 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)
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
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
Lakeland
82,506
Sandy Springs
107,198
Sandy Springs +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Sandy Springs
37.1
Sandy Springs +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 107,198 | Sandy Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 37.1 | Sandy Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 74.1% | 59.3% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 20.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 11.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $57,405 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $694,123 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 50.7% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Sandy Springs
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Sandy Springs
1752
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 392 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1752 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.8% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lakeland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 27.9 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Lakeland 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 Lakeland 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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