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

Sandy Springs, GA vs Columbus, GA

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

Summary

Columbus spends 41.8% 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
Sandy Springs, GA
Pop. 107,221
A
80/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Columbus, GA
Pop. 204,572
A
82/100
Budget Balance76
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency88
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

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

Per Capita Spending by Department

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

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

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

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

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

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