Median rent is 5% lower in Sandy Springs ($1,789/mo vs $1,874/mo). Buying is cheaper in Sandy Springs, where the median home runs $583,900 versus $605,700. Households earn more in Alpharetta ($146,581 vs $101,593 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (98.6).
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 city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
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: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,874/mo in Alpharetta and $1,789/mo in Sandy Springs. Median home values are within 4% of each other: $605,700 in Alpharetta and $583,900 in Sandy Springs.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Georgia's top income tax rate is 5.49% versus 5.49% in Georgia, so Sandy Springs is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 4.00% in Georgia and 4.00% in Georgia; Sandy Springs has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Alpharetta
Income tax: 5.49%
Sales tax: 4.00%
Sandy Springs
Income tax: 5.49%
Sales tax: 4.00%
Air quality data is not yet available for these cities.
Pick Alpharetta if you prioritize higher median household income ($146,581/yr).
Is Alpharetta cheaper than Sandy Springs?
Alpharetta is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.6 versus 98.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Alpharetta.
How much is rent in Alpharetta vs Sandy Springs?
Median rent is $1,874/mo in Alpharetta, GA and $1,789/mo in Sandy Springs, GA. Sandy Springs, GA has the lower rent by about 5%.
Which has higher salaries — Alpharetta or Sandy Springs?
Median household income is $146,581 in Alpharetta, GA and $101,593 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.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Alpharetta or Sandy Springs?
Georgia's top income tax rate is 5.49% and Georgia's is 5.49%. Sandy Springs, GA has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Sandy Springs to match my Alpharetta income?
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: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology