Madison WI 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)
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
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
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Black
Madison
7.1%
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Sandy Springs +
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 107,198 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.1 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 73.0% | 59.3% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 20.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 7.8% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 11.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $57,405 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 3.8% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Sandy Springs
50.7%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $694,123 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 50.7% | Sandy Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
Sandy Springs
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Sandy Springs
1752
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 392 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1752 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Sandy Springs +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 8.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 17.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Madison +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Sandy Springs
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Madison + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 27.9 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Sandy Springs. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Madison has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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