Sandy Springs GA vs Santa Ana CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Sandy Springs, GA
Georgia · Population: 107,198
- Median HH Income$101,593
- Median Home Price$694,123
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+69.9%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sandy Springs
107,198
Sandy Springs +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sandy Springs
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Sandy Springs
37.1
Sandy Springs +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spanish at Home
Sandy Springs
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,198 | 91,535 | Sandy Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 42.9 | Sandy Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 16.8% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 59.3% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 20.0% | 4.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Santa Ana
11.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
Santa Ana
68.9%
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $101,593 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $80,857 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 6.1% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 11.6% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.9% | 68.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Sandy Springs +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Sandy Springs
50.7%
Sandy Springs +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $694,123 | $865,610 | Sandy Springs + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.7% | 28.8% | Sandy Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Sandy Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Sandy Springs + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Santa Ana
29.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
Santa Ana
11.6%
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.7% | 29.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 13.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.8% | 18.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 20.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 11.6% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy Springs
N/A
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy Springs
N/A
Santa Ana
13.6 in
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sandy Springs
55.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Ana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
Sandy Springs +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.9 min | 28.0 min | Sandy Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 Santa Ana. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Santa Ana 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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