Median rent is 4% lower in Sandy Springs ($1,870/mo vs $1,948/mo). Buying is cheaper in Sandy Springs, where the median home runs $619,800 versus $649,000. Households earn more in Alpharetta ($147,612 vs $104,340 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (100.5).
City A
Alpharetta, GA
City B
Sandy Springs, GA
How much would you need to earn in Sandy Springs, GA to maintain your standard of living from Alpharetta, GA?
Equivalent salary in Sandy Springs, GA
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Alpharetta
Georgia
Sandy Springs
Georgia
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,948/mo in Alpharetta and $1,870/mo in Sandy Springs. Median home values are within 4% of each other: $649,000 in Alpharetta and $619,800 in Sandy Springs.
Metric
Alpharetta
Sandy Springs
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Alpharetta
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Sandy Springs
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is not yet available for these cities.
Pick Alpharetta if you prioritize higher median household income ($147,612/yr).
Alpharetta is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 100.5 versus 100.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Alpharetta.
Median rent is $1,948/mo in Alpharetta, GA and $1,870/mo in Sandy Springs, GA. Sandy Springs, GA has the lower rent by about 4%.
Median household income is $147,612 in Alpharetta, GA and $104,340 in Sandy Springs, GA. Alpharetta, GA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Alpharetta, GA is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in Sandy Springs, GA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
