Sandy Springs GA vs Schenectady NY — 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%
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sandy Springs
107,198
Sandy Springs +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sandy Springs
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Sandy Springs
37.1
Sandy Springs +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Sandy Springs +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Sandy Springs
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,198 | 28,542 | Sandy Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 42.3 | Sandy Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 16.8% | 6.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 59.3% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 20.0% | 3.1% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 3.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 4.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Schenectady
$100,485
Per Capita Income
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Schenectady
$62,931
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Schenectady
10.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
Schenectady
58.8%
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $101,593 | $100,485 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $80,857 | $62,931 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 10.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.9% | 58.8% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Sandy Springs
50.7%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $694,123 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.7% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy Springs
1752
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 434 | Sandy Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Schenectady
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.7% | 38.6% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 12.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.8% | 19.2% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 9.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 16.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy Springs
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy Springs
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sandy Springs
55.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Schenectady + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.9 min | 26.2 min | Schenectady + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while schenectady offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $321,835. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Schenectady. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Schenectady has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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