Salem 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)
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
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
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Black
Salem
1.6%
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 107,198 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.1 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 69.8% | 59.3% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.6% | 20.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 11.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $57,405 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $694,123 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 50.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
Sandy Springs
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 392 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1752 | Sandy Springs + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.8% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Sandy Springs
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 27.9 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Salem 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 Salem 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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