Roanoke VA 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)
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
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
Roanoke
98,677
Sandy Springs
107,198
Sandy Springs +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roanoke
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Roanoke
38.0
Sandy Springs
37.1
Sandy Springs +
Foreign Born
Roanoke
7.5%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Roanoke
57.5%
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Black
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Asian
Roanoke
3.1%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Roanoke
8.6%
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Sandy Springs +
Spanish at Home
Roanoke
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | 107,198 | Sandy Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 37.1 | Sandy Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 7.5% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 57.5% | 59.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 29.0% | 20.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 11.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roanoke
$52,671
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Roanoke
$34,792
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Roanoke
5.5%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Roanoke
19.7%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Roanoke
28.9%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,671 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,792 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $57,405 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,668 | $694,123 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 50.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Sandy Springs
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
Sandy Springs
1752
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 392 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1752 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
41.9%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.9%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roanoke
18.4%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
11.0%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
16.7%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 17.8% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
56.0°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
44.5 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 27.9 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Sandy Springs. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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