Meridian ID 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)
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
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
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Meridian
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Meridian
37.4
Sandy Springs
37.1
Sandy Springs +
Foreign Born
Meridian
4.8%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Black
Meridian
1.6%
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Asian
Meridian
2.1%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Meridian
9.5%
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Sandy Springs +
Spanish at Home
Meridian
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 107,198 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 37.1 | Sandy Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 4.8% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 84.3% | 59.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 1.6% | 20.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 11.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Meridian
$98,686
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Meridian
$47,751
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Meridian
$57,074
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Sandy Springs +
Unemployment Rate
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Meridian
44.4%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,686 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,751 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $57,405 | Sandy Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.4% | 3.8% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.2% | 7.4% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.4% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Meridian
$534,732
Meridian +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $534,732 | $694,123 | Meridian + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.1% | 50.7% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Sandy Springs
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
958
Meridian +
Sandy Springs
1752
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 392 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1752 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
28.8%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.4%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Meridian
15.5%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Meridian
17.6%
Meridian +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Meridian
10.3%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.8% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.9% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.8% | Meridian + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Meridian
75.0%
Meridian +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Meridian + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 27.9 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while meridian offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $534,732. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Sandy Springs. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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