F
35%
Overall NAT. AVG.
0%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
123%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Sandy Springs Georgia National
Cost of living13593100
Goods & Services10097100
Groceries10198100
Health care109100100
Housing22386100
Transportation9994100
Utilities8186100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Sandy Springs, GA

Understanding the cost of living in Sandy Springs can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Sandy Springs cost of living index is 135, which is 35% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

If affordability is among your top priorities when searching for a new place to live, this area may not be the ideal fit, as the cost of living in Sandy Springs is among the most expensive in the United States. Just a minority of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Sandy Springs falls into this category, which may not align with your goal of finding a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs significantly influence the Sandy Springs cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 123.4%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Sandy Springs?

The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 12 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Sandy Springs. The feedback revealed that 17% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 83% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.

Is Sandy Springs Affordable?

Is Sandy Springs affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Sandy Springs, for instance, where the median home price falls 156.6% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 45.7% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Sandy Springs flaunting a median household income of $80,998, 46.4% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Sandy Springs?

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Sandy Springs, the utilities index registers at 18.9% lower than the national average.

Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Sandy Springs, the transportation index is 0.6% lower than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Sandy Springs displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Sandy Springs is 46% higher than the Georgia average
  • The cost of living in Sandy Springs is 35% higher than the national average
  • Sandy Springs housing is 123% higher than the national average
  • Georgia general sales tax is 22% lower than the national average
  • Georgia state income tax is 61% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Sandy Springs

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Compare Sandy Springs, GA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$133,203$11,100$3,108$3,996
      Renters$63,486$5,291$1,481$1,905
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Sandy Springs, GA, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Sandy Springs, the median monthly income is $133,203 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $3,108 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $63,486, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $1,481 on monthly rental expenses.

      Georgia Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Georgia 4% 8%

      Georgia Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Georgia 1% 5.57%

      Goods & Services

      Item Sandy Springs National avg. Difference
      Haircut $27.25$24.2612.3%
      Beauty Salon $56.36$45.5623.7%
      Toothpaste $3.74$3.700.9%
      Shampoo $1.33$1.283.9%
      Movie $15.20$12.1325.3%
      Bowling $20.98$18.0016.5%

      Groceries

      Item Sandy Springs National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.25$5.8410.1%
      Fried Chicken $1.61$1.572.1%
      Milk $4.69$4.670.4%
      Potatoes $5.32$4.937.9%
      Pizza $11.36$12.096.0%
      Beer $10.39$10.410.2%

      Health Care

      Item Sandy Springs National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $129.73$125.683.2%
      Doctor $128.57$135.785.3%
      Dentist $144.73$113.2927.8%
      Ibuprofen $10.74$10.650.8%
      Lipitor $495.22$468.605.7%

      Housing

      Item Sandy Springs National avg. Difference
      Home Price $474,000.00$184,700.00156.6%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,292.55$2,346.692.3%
      Apartment Rent $1,383.00$949.0045.7%

      Transportation

      Item Sandy Springs National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.20$3.467.5%
      Tire Balancing $69.77$59.9216.4%

      Utilities

      Item Sandy Springs National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $134.81$193.9930.5%
      Phone $191.28$192.250.5%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Stone Mountain, GA6,376946.5%
      Redan, GA34,870945.7%
      Fair Oaks, GA9,447954.7%
      Candler-McAfee, GA24,419954.7%
      Clarkston, GA12,747954.5%
      Sandy Springs, GA108,18013535.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Hillsboro, OR108,02613232.1%
      San Buenaventura (Ventura), CA108,46716464.3%
      Red Deer, AB107,873n/a 
      Waterbury, CT107,8411011.1%
      Meridian, ID107,78711818.2%
      Sandy Springs, GA108,18013535.5%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.