Raleigh NC 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)
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
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
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Raleigh
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Raleigh
13.6%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Raleigh
53.8%
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Black
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Asian
Raleigh
4.7%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Raleigh
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 107,198 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.1 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 53.8% | 59.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 27.5% | 20.0% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 4.7% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Raleigh
$82,424
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Raleigh
$49,948
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Raleigh
4.5%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Raleigh
11.4%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Raleigh
52.9%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $82,424 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,948 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $57,405 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.4% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 52.9% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,807 | $694,123 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.2% | 50.7% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
398
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
1999
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 392 | Sandy Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1752 | Sandy Springs + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
30.9%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.1%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Raleigh
16.6%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.7%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
10.5%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.8% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
61.1°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
46.2 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Raleigh
75.0%
Raleigh +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Raleigh + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 27.9 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Raleigh. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Raleigh 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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