Sandy Springs GA vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sandy Springs
107,198
Sandy Springs +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sandy Springs
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Sandy Springs
37.1
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Sandy Springs
20.0%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Sandy Springs
11.4%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Sandy Springs
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,198 | 102,866 | Sandy Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 16.8% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 59.3% | 54.1% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 20.0% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 1.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sandy Springs
$57,405
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $101,593 | $52,512 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $80,857 | $29,511 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,697 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 6.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 22.6% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.9% | 29.4% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sandy Springs
$694,123
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Sandy Springs
50.7%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $694,123 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.7% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy Springs
392
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy Springs
1752
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
17.8%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.7% | 39.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 15.2% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.8% | 20.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 12.6% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 18.2% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy Springs
N/A
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy Springs
N/A
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Sandy Springs +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sandy Springs
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Sandy Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.9 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Sandy Springs. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Sandy Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Sandy Springs, GALos Angeles, CA vs Sandy Springs, GAChicago, IL vs Sandy Springs, GAHouston, TX vs Sandy Springs, GAPhoenix, AZ vs Sandy Springs, GAPhiladelphia, PA vs Sandy Springs, GA