Modesto CA 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)
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
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
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
Sandy Springs
16.8%
White
Modesto
50.8%
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 107,198 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 37.1 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 16.8% | Modesto + |
| White | 50.8% | 59.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 4.7% | 20.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 11.4% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $57,405 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $694,123 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 50.7% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 392 | Sandy Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1752 | Sandy Springs + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Modesto +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 17.8% | Modesto + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Modesto +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Modesto + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 27.9 min | Sandy Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while modesto offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $447,353. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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