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Data from U.S. Census Bureau · 2026 · Methodology
CitySpend

Columbus, GA vs Sandy Springs, GA

Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)

Summary

Columbus spends 71.9% more per capita than Sandy Springs ($6,493/person difference). Columbus, GA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 82/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Columbus, GA
Pop. 204,572
A
82/100
Budget Balance76
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency88
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Sandy Springs, GA
Pop. 107,221
A
80/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Columbus
Sandy Springs
Total Spending
$3.2B
$968.2M
Spending / Capita
$15,522
$9,030
Total Revenue
$4.4B
$2.4B
Revenue / Capita
$21,716
$22,054
Total Debt
$7.6M
$0
Debt / Capita
$37
$0
Population
204,572
107,221
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Columbus$1,611
Sandy Springs$0
Fire Protection
Columbus$699
Sandy Springs$512
Highways & Roads
Columbus$443
Sandy Springs$605
Parks & Recreation
Columbus$669
Sandy Springs$896
Education
Columbus$21
Sandy Springs$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

ColumbusSandy Springs
Property Tax
$64
$13
Sales Tax
$315
$394
Income Tax
$688
$0
Intergovernmental
$792
$22,054
Charges & Fees
$2,259
$0
Other
$3,202
$567

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

ColumbusSandy Springs
Police
$1,611
$0
Fire Protection
$699
$512
Highways & Roads
$443
$605
Education
$21
$0
Public Welfare
$1,247
$1,241
Hospitals
$170
$0
Parks & Recreation
$669
$896
Housing
$2,701
$2,400
Sewerage
$66
$0
Utilities
$1,989
$0
Other
$5,907
$3,375
A
Columbus, GA
Fiscal Health Score: 82/100
Excellent fiscal health
A
Sandy Springs, GA
Fiscal Health Score: 80/100
Excellent fiscal health

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