Phoenix AZ 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)
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
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
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
Sandy Springs
16.8%
White
Phoenix
53.7%
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 107,198 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 37.1 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 16.8% | Phoenix + |
| White | 53.7% | 59.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 7.8% | 20.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 11.4% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $57,405 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $694,123 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 50.7% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 392 | Sandy Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1752 | Sandy Springs + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.8% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 27.9 min | Phoenix + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Phoenix, AZLos Angeles, CA vs Phoenix, AZChicago, IL vs Phoenix, AZHouston, TX vs Phoenix, AZPhiladelphia, PA vs Phoenix, AZPhoenix, AZ vs San Antonio, TX