Miami FL 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)
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
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
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Miami
39.7
Sandy Springs
37.1
Sandy Springs +
Foreign Born
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
Sandy Springs
16.8%
White
Miami
34.2%
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Black
Miami
13.7%
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Asian
Miami
1.6%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Miami
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Miami, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 446,663 | 107,198 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 37.1 | Sandy Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 57.7% | 16.8% | Miami + |
| White | 34.2% | 59.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 13.7% | 20.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 71.2% | 11.4% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami
$59,390
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Miami
$42,528
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami
$65,328
Miami +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Miami
5.0%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Miami
19.2%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami
35.6%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,390 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,528 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $57,405 | Miami + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.6% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami
$580,996
Miami +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Miami
30.7%
Sandy Springs
50.7%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,996 | $694,123 | Miami + |
| Homeownership Rate | 30.7% | 50.7% | Sandy Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
324
Miami +
Sandy Springs
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
1453
Miami +
Sandy Springs
1752
| Metric | Miami, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 392 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1752 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
29.9%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.5%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami
15.0%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami
27.2%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.3%
Miami +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami
12.3%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.9% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.8% | Miami + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
75.8°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
64.1 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Miami, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami
75.0%
Miami +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | Miami, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Miami + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami
29.9 min
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.9 min | 27.9 min | Sandy Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while miami offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,996. On public safety, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Sandy Springs. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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