Lexington KY 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)
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
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
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Sandy Springs +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 107,198 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 37.1 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 69.9% | 59.3% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 20.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 11.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Sandy Springs +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $57,405 | Sandy Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $694,123 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 50.7% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Sandy Springs
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Sandy Springs
1752
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 392 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1752 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Sandy Springs
13.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Sandy Springs
7.3%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 23.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 13.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 27.9 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while lexington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $332,727. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Sandy Springs. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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