Sandy Springs GA vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sandy Springs
107,198
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sandy Springs
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Sandy Springs
37.1
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Sandy Springs +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Sandy Springs
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,198 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 16.8% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 59.3% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 20.0% | 6.6% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 8.2% | Sandy Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Seattle
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Seattle
9.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
Seattle
67.5%
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $101,593 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $80,857 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.2% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 9.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.9% | 67.5% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Sandy Springs +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Sandy Springs
50.7%
Sandy Springs +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $694,123 | $871,599 | Sandy Springs + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.7% | 44.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy Springs
392
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3409 | Sandy Springs + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
Seattle
15.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Sandy Springs +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.7% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.8% | 15.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 19.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy Springs
N/A
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy Springs
N/A
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sandy Springs
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
Sandy Springs +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.9 min | 28.8 min | Sandy Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while sandy Springs offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $694,123. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Sandy Springs. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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