Palmdale 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)
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
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
Palmdale
44,998
Sandy Springs
107,198
Sandy Springs +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
Sandy Springs
37.1
Sandy Springs +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
Sandy Springs
16.8%
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 107,198 | Sandy Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 37.1 | Sandy Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 16.8% | Palmdale + |
| White | 69.3% | 59.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 5.4% | 20.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 11.4% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $57,405 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Palmdale +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $694,123 | Palmdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 50.7% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Palmdale, 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
Palmdale
30.3%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 17.8% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Palmdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 27.9 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while palmdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $503,393. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Palmdale 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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