Miami Gardens 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 Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
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 Gardens
11,627
Sandy Springs
107,198
Sandy Springs +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami Gardens
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Miami Gardens
37.7
Sandy Springs
37.1
Sandy Springs +
Foreign Born
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
Sandy Springs
16.8%
White
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Black
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Asian
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Miami Gardens +
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Miami Gardens
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,627 | 107,198 | Sandy Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 37.1 | Sandy Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 29.1% | 16.8% | Miami Gardens + |
| White | 52.5% | 59.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 15.3% | 20.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 34.0% | 11.4% | Miami Gardens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Per Capita Income
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Miami Gardens +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,873 | $101,593 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,003 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $57,405 | Miami Gardens + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.9% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 64.7% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Miami Gardens +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,888 | $694,123 | Miami Gardens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 86.7% | 50.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
324
Miami Gardens +
Sandy Springs
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +
Sandy Springs
1752
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 392 | Miami Gardens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1752 | Miami Gardens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami Gardens
17.5%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
15.4%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 17.8% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | 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.)
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Miami Gardens +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Miami Gardens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Miami Gardens + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.2 min | 27.9 min | Sandy Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while miami Gardens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $472,888. On public safety, Miami Gardens 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 Gardens 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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