Sandy Springs GA vs Sterling Heights MI — 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%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sandy Springs
107,198
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sandy Springs
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Sandy Springs
37.1
Sandy Springs +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Sandy Springs +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Sandy Springs
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,198 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 41.5 | Sandy Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 16.8% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 59.3% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 20.0% | 6.6% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 2.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Sterling Heights +
Unemployment Rate
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $101,593 | $78,429 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $80,857 | $37,315 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,052 | Sterling Heights + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 6.2% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 10.6% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.9% | 31.2% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Sandy Springs
50.7%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $694,123 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.7% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy Springs
1752
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 471 | Sandy Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.7% | 36.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 11.5% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.8% | 17.2% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 15.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy Springs
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy Springs
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | 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
Sandy Springs +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sandy Springs
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Sandy Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.9 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. 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%.
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