Sandy Springs GA vs Santa Rosa 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 Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sandy Springs
107,198
Santa Rosa
129,239
Santa Rosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sandy Springs
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Sandy Springs
37.1
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Sandy Springs
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,198 | 129,239 | Santa Rosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 16.8% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 59.3% | 31.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 20.0% | 2.1% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
Santa Rosa
65.3%
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $101,593 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $80,857 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.9% | 65.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Sandy Springs +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Sandy Springs
50.7%
Sandy Springs +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $694,123 | $720,443 | Sandy Springs + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.7% | 41.2% | Sandy Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Santa Rosa, 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 Rosa
26.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
Santa Rosa
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
Santa Rosa
11.3%
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.7% | 26.5% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 10.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.8% | 16.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 10.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 11.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy Springs
N/A
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy Springs
N/A
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 59.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 32.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sandy Springs
55.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Rosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.9 min | 25.2 min | Santa Rosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, 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 Rosa. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Santa Rosa 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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