Mesa AZ 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)
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
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
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Sandy Springs
37.1
Sandy Springs +
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 107,198 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.1 | Sandy Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 69.7% | 59.3% | Mesa + |
| Black | 4.4% | 20.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Mesa +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $57,405 | Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $694,123 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 50.7% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 392 | Sandy Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1752 | Sandy Springs + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.8% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Mesa +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 27.9 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Mesa. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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