Portland OR 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)
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
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
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Sandy Springs
37.1
Sandy Springs +
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Black
Portland
5.8%
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Sandy Springs +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 107,198 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 37.1 | Sandy Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 70.1% | 59.3% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.8% | 20.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 7.8% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 11.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $57,405 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Portland +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $694,123 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 50.7% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Portland +
Sandy Springs
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 392 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1752 | Sandy Springs + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Portland +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
Sandy Springs
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Portland, OR | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Portland, OR | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 27.9 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while portland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $538,687. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Sandy Springs. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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