Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elgin, IL
VS
Sandy Springs, GA
🏆 Sandy Springs leads 16 of 23 categories
Elgin
Illinois
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$85,998
Violent Crime Index
70
Population
114,190 ✓ Larger
Sandy Springs
Georgia
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$93,303 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
37 ✓ Safer
Population
107,221
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elgin, IL
Pros
Homes cost $314k less ($242,500 vs $556,300)
Rent averages $480/mo less ($1,190 vs $1,670)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 89°F
Cons
Higher unemployment (6.0% vs 3.7%)
Median income trails Sandy Springs by $7,305/yr
Sandy Springs, GA
Pros
48% less violent crime than Elgin
More college-educated — 68.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.3 pts lower (3.7%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (139.2 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 52°F vs 30°F
Households earn $7,305 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $556,300
Higher rents — median is $1,670/mo
Key Differences at a Glance
Elgin
Median Home Value
$314k less
$242,500 vs $556,300
Sandy Springs
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 100.9 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Sandy Springs
Median Income
$7,305
$93,303 vs $85,998/yr
Sandy Springs
Violent Crime
48% lower
139.2 vs 266.7 per 100k
Sandy Springs
Unemployment
2.3 pp lower
3.7% vs 6.0% unemployment
Sandy Springs
Summer Heat
5.3°F warmer
July avg high 89.4°F vs 84.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Sandy Springs, GA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High | 100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $242,500 ✓ Lower | $556,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,190 ✓ Lower | $1,670⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,998 | $93,303 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0%⚠ High | 3.7% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High | 26.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% | 24.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 63 | 50 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 | 37 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 52 ✓ Safer | 70 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | A- (117) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 | 14.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.7% | 68.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.1% | 97.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SD U-46 | Fulton County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.1°F | 51.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F | 89.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.9" ✓ Drier | 53.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 32.1" | 0.5" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,190 ✓ Larger | 107,221 |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 37.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% ✓ Higher | 50.5% |
| Under 18 | 26.2% ✓ More | 18.8% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 14.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elgin's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Sandy Springs's 100.9 (US average = 100).
Sandy Springs is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Sandy Springs leads 16 of 23 categories. Elgin wins 7 and Sandy Springs wins 16. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Elgin to Sandy Springs or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($242,500 vs $556,300 median home), income ($85,998 vs $93,303), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elgin, IL and Sandy Springs, GA are about 600 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.