Sandy Springs GA vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sandy Springs
107,198
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Tuscaloosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sandy Springs
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Sandy Springs
37.1
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Sandy Springs +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Sandy Springs
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,198 | 107,699 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 16.8% | 4.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 59.3% | 49.6% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 20.0% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 2.6% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 5.2% | Sandy Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Sandy Springs +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $101,593 | $48,536 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $80,857 | $31,324 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $51,690 | Sandy Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 7.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 23.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.9% | 38.1% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Sandy Springs
50.7%
Sandy Springs +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $694,123 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.7% | 45.1% | Sandy Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy Springs
1752
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 400 | Sandy Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.7% | 42.6% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 12.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.8% | 21.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 11.5% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 14.7% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy Springs
N/A
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy Springs
N/A
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sandy Springs
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.9 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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