City Comparison
Stonecrest 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
Stonecrest
Sandy Springs
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Stonecrest is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Sandy Springs.
| Metric | Stonecrest | Sandy Springs | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,780 | -7% |
| Groceries | $420 | $430 | -2% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $130 | $125 | +4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $230 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,615 | $2,740 | -5% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 114 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Sandy Springs offers 22% lower 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 Stonecrest is estimated at
$52,000 vs $68,000 in Sandy Springs.
| Metric | Stonecrest | Sandy Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $82,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $68,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 71,930 idx |
| Household Income | $65,400 | $102,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.4°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Sandy Springs sees 0.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Stonecrest | Sandy Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.30°F | 62.90°F |
| Summer High | 87.30°F | 86.90°F |
| Winter Low | 36.20°F | 35.50°F |
| Rainfall | 44.00 in | 43.60 in |
| Snowfall | 3.20 in | 3.80 in |
| Sunny Days | 232 | 226 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Sandy Springs has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Stonecrest.
Sandy Springs scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Sandy Springs leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Stonecrest | Sandy Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Walkability | 38.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 58.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Sandy Springs is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Stonecrest.
From a growth perspective, Stonecrest is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Stonecrest | Sandy Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 59,194 | 108,420 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 39.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Stonecrest
Advantages
More affordable housing options compared to intown Atlanta and northern metro suburbs per Zillow market data
Proximity to the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area providing extensive hiking and outdoor recreation
Strategic location along Interstate 20 offering direct access to the wider Atlanta employment market
Growing commercial retail and dining amenities centered around the Mall at Stonecrest district
Active municipal leadership focused on economic development and community-driven urban planning
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transit options connecting to regional rail networks
Traffic congestion along major commercial corridors like Turner Hill Road during peak commute hours
Property tax rates reflective of DeKalb County municipal structures
Limited high-density nightlife and entertainment options directly within city limits compared to central Atlanta
Relying on neighboring cities for major tertiary and quaternary hospital facilities
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.
Stonecrest
#337Georgia, USA
60.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
38.0/100
Sunny Days
232/yr
Avg Temp
63.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
72
Business
69
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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