Sandy Springs GA vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sandy Springs
107,198
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sandy Springs
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Sandy Springs
37.1
Sandy Springs +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Hispanic
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Sandy Springs +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Sandy Springs
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,198 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 37.4 | Sandy Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 16.8% | 9.1% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 59.3% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 20.0% | 18.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 7.2% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Per Capita Income
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $101,593 | $90,685 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $80,857 | $47,372 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 8.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.9% | 40.4% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Sandy Springs
50.7%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $694,123 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.7% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy Springs
392
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy Springs
1752
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.7% | 36.5% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 11.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.8% | 16.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 12.1% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy Springs
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy Springs
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sandy Springs
55.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.9 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Sandy Springs. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 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