Sandy Springs GA vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sandy Springs
107,198
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sandy Springs
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Sandy Springs
37.1
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
Washington
13.3%
White
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Sandy Springs
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,198 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 16.8% | 13.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 59.3% | 39.1% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 20.0% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 4.1% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Washington
$75,253
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
Washington
63.6%
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $101,593 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $80,857 | $75,253 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 6.5% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 14.5% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.9% | 63.6% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Washington
$580,173
Washington +
Homeownership Rate
Sandy Springs
50.7%
Sandy Springs +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $694,123 | $580,173 | Washington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.7% | 41.1% | Sandy Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 398 | Sandy Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1999 | Sandy Springs + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Washington
24.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
Washington
14.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Sandy Springs +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
Washington
9.7%
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.7% | 24.6% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.8% | 14.6% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 24.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 9.7% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy Springs
N/A
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy Springs
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sandy Springs
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
Sandy Springs +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.9 min | 32.8 min | Sandy Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while washington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,173. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Washington. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Washington 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%.
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