Lansing MI 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)
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
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
Lansing
112,546
Lansing +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Lansing
56.1%
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 107,198 | Lansing + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.1 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 56.1% | 59.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 23.4% | 20.0% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 11.4% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Lansing +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $57,405 | Lansing + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $694,123 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 50.7% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Sandy Springs
1752
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 392 | Sandy Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1752 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Lansing +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.8% | Lansing + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Sandy Springs +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Sandy Springs
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Sandy Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 27.9 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. 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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