Sandy Springs GA vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sandy Springs
107,198
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sandy Springs
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Sandy Springs
37.1
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Sandy Springs
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,198 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 16.8% | 10.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 59.3% | 48.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 20.0% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 2.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Wilmington
$59,120
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $101,593 | $57,673 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $80,857 | $35,074 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 17.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.9% | 37.2% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Wilmington
$419,326
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Sandy Springs
50.7%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $694,123 | $419,326 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.7% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Wilmington, NC | 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 +
Wilmington
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Wilmington
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Wilmington
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Wilmington
17.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
Wilmington
12.2%
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.7% | 31.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 10.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.8% | 17.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 9.6% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 17.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 12.2% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy Springs
N/A
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy Springs
N/A
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sandy Springs
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.9 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $419,326. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Wilmington. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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