Sandy Springs GA vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sandy Springs
107,198
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sandy Springs
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Sandy Springs
37.1
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Sandy Springs
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,198 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 16.8% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 59.3% | 58.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 20.0% | 12.1% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 6.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $101,593 | $67,544 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $80,857 | $35,825 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 6.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 19.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.9% | 34.1% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Sandy Springs
50.7%
Sandy Springs +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $694,123 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.7% | 42.4% | Sandy Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy Springs
392
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy Springs
1752
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Worcester
17.1%
Worcester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.7% | 35.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 11.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.8% | 19.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 17.1% | Worcester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 14.5% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy Springs
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy Springs
N/A
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sandy Springs
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Sandy Springs, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.9 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Sandy Springs. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Worcester 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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