Montgomery AL 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)
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Montgomery +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Sandy Springs +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 107,198 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.1 | Montgomery + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 27.7% | 59.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 63.0% | 20.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 11.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Sandy Springs +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $57,405 | Sandy Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $694,123 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 50.7% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
Sandy Springs
1752
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 392 | Sandy Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1752 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 17.8% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Montgomery +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Montgomery + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 27.9 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Montgomery has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
Compare More Cities
Montgomery, AL vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Montgomery, ALChicago, IL vs Montgomery, ALHouston, TX vs Montgomery, ALMontgomery, AL vs Phoenix, AZMontgomery, AL vs Philadelphia, PA