Newark NJ 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)
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
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
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Sandy Springs
16.8%
White
Newark
16.5%
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 107,198 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 37.1 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 16.8% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 59.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 46.7% | 20.0% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 11.4% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $57,405 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Newark +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Sandy Springs
50.7%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $694,123 | Newark + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 50.7% | Sandy Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Sandy Springs
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Sandy Springs
1752
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 392 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1752 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.8% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 27.9 min | Sandy Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while newark offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $482,675. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Sandy Springs. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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