Milwaukee 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)
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
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
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 107,198 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 37.1 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 36.5% | 59.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 38.6% | 20.0% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 11.4% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $57,405 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Sandy Springs
50.7%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $694,123 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 50.7% | Sandy Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Sandy Springs
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Sandy Springs
1752
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 392 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1752 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Sandy Springs
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Milwaukee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 27.9 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Sandy Springs. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Milwaukee 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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