Sandy Springs GA vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sandy Springs
107,198
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sandy Springs
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Sandy Springs
37.1
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Tampa
4.8%
Hispanic
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Sandy Springs
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,198 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 16.8% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 59.3% | 51.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 20.0% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 4.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Tampa
$71,302
Per Capita Income
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Tampa
$49,513
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Tampa
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
Tampa
44.6%
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $101,593 | $71,302 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $80,857 | $49,513 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 15.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.9% | 44.6% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Tampa
$376,530
Tampa +
Homeownership Rate
Sandy Springs
50.7%
Sandy Springs +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $694,123 | $376,530 | Tampa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.7% | 50.2% | Sandy Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy Springs
392
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy Springs
1752
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Tampa
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
Tampa
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Tampa
16.7%
Tampa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
Tampa
12.6%
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.7% | 31.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 12.5% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.8% | 17.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 15.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.7% | Tampa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 12.6% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy Springs
N/A
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy Springs
N/A
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 73.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sandy Springs
55.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tampa +
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tampa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
Tampa
26.8 min
Tampa +
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.9 min | 26.8 min | Tampa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while tampa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $376,530. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Sandy Springs. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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