Pittsburgh PA 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)
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
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
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Black
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Asian
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Sandy Springs +
Spanish at Home
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | 107,198 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.1 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 9.3% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 63.7% | 59.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 22.5% | 20.0% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 4.2% | 11.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,137 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,590 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $57,405 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.8% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Sandy Springs
50.7%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $240,538 | $694,123 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 50.7% | Sandy Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Sandy Springs
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
Sandy Springs
1752
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 392 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1752 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sandy Springs
13.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sandy Springs
7.3%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 23.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 13.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Sandy Springs
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 27.9 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Sandy Springs. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Sandy Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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