Little Rock AR 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)
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
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
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Sandy Springs +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 107,198 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.1 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 46.4% | 59.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 39.4% | 20.0% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 11.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Sandy Springs +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $57,405 | Sandy Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $694,123 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 50.7% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 392 | Sandy Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1752 | Sandy Springs + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.8% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Little Rock +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Sandy Springs
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Little Rock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 27.9 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Little Rock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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