San Diego CA 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)
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
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
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Diego
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
Sandy Springs
16.8%
White
San Diego
50.4%
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Black
San Diego
5.7%
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Asian
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Hispanic
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Spanish at Home
San Diego
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | 107,198 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 37.1 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 24.8% | 16.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 50.4% | 59.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 5.7% | 20.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 17.6% | 7.8% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 11.4% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Per Capita Income
San Diego
$54,678
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
San Diego
5.9%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
San Diego
11.1%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Diego
49.9%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,321 | $101,593 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,678 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $57,405 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.1% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.9% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Diego
$1,006,261
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Sandy Springs +
Homeownership Rate
San Diego
47.6%
Sandy Springs
50.7%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,006,261 | $694,123 | Sandy Springs + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 50.7% | Sandy Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
503
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
2388
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 392 | Sandy Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1752 | Sandy Springs + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
24.2%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.2%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Diego
16.5%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Diego
16.9%
San Diego +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.3%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 8.9% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 17.8% | San Diego + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
61.6°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
12.3 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Diego
75.0%
San Diego +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | San Diego + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.9 min | 27.9 min | San Diego + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, while sandy Springs offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $694,123. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Diego. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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