Sandy Springs vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Sandy Springs
Surprise
The Verdict
Living in Surprise costs 31.1% less than Sandy Springs. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Sandy Springs, you would need $57,222 in Surprise.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Sandy Springs has the same purchasing power as $57,222 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $98,301 in Sandy Springs.
Living in Sandy Springs vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Sandy Springs's housing index of 223 is higher Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $670,000 vs $419,000. The $251,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,320 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,825/mo in Sandy Springs compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $250.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 103 in Sandy Springs and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Sandy Springs vs $475/month in Surprise. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Sandy Springs and 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Sandy Springs vs $408 in Surprise. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 105 in Sandy Springs and 97 in Surprise. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $101,000 in Sandy Springs and $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $74,815 and $83,010 respectively. Surprise residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,357/month to housing in Sandy Springs vs $1,995/month in Surprise. In Sandy Springs, median rent of $1,825/mo fits within this budget. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 118 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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