City Comparison
Brookhaven vs Sandy Springs
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Sandy Springs scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Brookhaven
Sandy Springs
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Sandy Springs is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Brookhaven.
Housing costs are a major driver: Brookhaven's average rent is
10% higher than Sandy Springs's.
| Metric | Brookhaven | Sandy Springs | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,780 | +10% |
| Groceries | $480 | $430 | +12% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $130 | $125 | +4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $230 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,975 | $2,740 | +9% |
| Cost Index | 120 | 114 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Brookhaven offers similar average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Sandy Springs delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Brookhaven is estimated at
$65,000 vs $68,000 in Sandy Springs.
| Metric | Brookhaven | Sandy Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $82,000 | $82,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $68,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,333 idx | 71,930 idx |
| Household Income | $105,400 | $102,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Sandy Springs sees 0.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Brookhaven | Sandy Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.10°F | 62.90°F |
| Summer High | 87.10°F | 86.90°F |
| Winter Low | 35.50°F | 35.50°F |
| Rainfall | 45.30 in | 43.60 in |
| Snowfall | 3.50 in | 3.80 in |
| Sunny Days | 233 | 226 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Brookhaven scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Brookhaven leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Brookhaven | Sandy Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 58.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Sandy Springs is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Brookhaven.
From a growth perspective, Brookhaven is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Brookhaven has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Brookhaven | Sandy Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,850 | 108,420 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 39.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Brookhaven
Advantages
Median household income exceeds $105,000, reflecting a prosperous and economically stable local population per U.S. Census data.
Direct access to Atlanta via two dedicated MARTA rapid transit rail stations within city limits.
Abundant public parks and green spaces, including the expansive Peachtree Creek Greenway and Murphey Candler Park.
Highly rated local dining, craft breweries, and vibrant community festivals throughout the year.
Proximity to major employment hubs like Buckhead, Perimeter Center, and Midtown Atlanta.
Drawbacks
Housing purchase prices and rental rates are significantly higher than the U.S. national average per Zillow housing market indices.
Heavy rush-hour traffic congestion along major corridors such as Peachtree Road and around I-85 interchanges.
Elevated property taxes driven by rising real estate valuations across DeKalb County.
Limited large-scale industrial employment base, making the economy heavily service- and retail-dependent.
Competitive real estate market with low inventory for prospective first-time homebuyers.
Sandy Springs
Advantages
Median household income exceeds $102,000, reflecting a prosperous and robust local economy per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Direct access to the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area provides extensive outdoor recreation and green space.
Crime rates remain significantly lower than the national average, bolstered by active municipal policing and community programs.
Strategic location along GA-400 and I-285 offers seamless connectivity to greater Atlanta and major corporate hubs.
City Springs downtown district serves as a vibrant cultural, dining, and civic gathering place with a performing arts center.
Drawbacks
Cost of living and housing prices sit notably higher than the national average, creating affordability hurdles for first-time buyers.
Heavy traffic congestion along major commuter corridors like GA-400 and Roswell Road during peak rush hours.
High car dependency outside of the immediate City Springs and transit-adjacent neighborhood cores.
Competitive rental market with average monthly rents for multi-family units remaining elevated.
Property tax rates and local cost burdens reflect the high standard of municipal services and upscale infrastructure.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Brookhaven
#268Georgia, USA
61.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$82,000
Cost Index
120
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
233/yr
Avg Temp
63.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
81
Business
75
Sandy Springs
#257Georgia, USA
62.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,780
Avg Salary
$82,000
Cost Index
114
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
226/yr
Avg Temp
62.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
79
Business
74
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