Sandy Springs GA vs Spokane Valley 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%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sandy Springs
107,198
Sandy Springs +
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sandy Springs
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Sandy Springs
37.1
Sandy Springs +
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Sandy Springs +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Sandy Springs
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,198 | 105,460 | Sandy Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 37.6 | Sandy Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 16.8% | 5.1% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 59.3% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 20.0% | 1.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 1.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 7.5% | Sandy Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Per Capita Income
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Spokane Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $101,593 | $70,722 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $80,857 | $35,235 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $76,120 | Spokane Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 12.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.9% | 24.8% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Spokane Valley +
Homeownership Rate
Sandy Springs
50.7%
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $694,123 | $414,734 | Spokane Valley + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.7% | 57.5% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy Springs
392
Spokane Valley
383
Spokane Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 383 | Spokane Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3409 | Sandy Springs + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
Spokane Valley
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Spokane Valley +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
Spokane Valley
12.4%
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.7% | 35.1% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 10.5% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.8% | 18.1% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 17.2% | Spokane Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 12.4% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy Springs
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy Springs
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Spokane Valley, WA | 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
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sandy Springs
55.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane Valley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.9 min | 22.4 min | Spokane Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while spokane Valley offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,734. On public safety, Spokane Valley 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 Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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