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

Sandy Springs, GA vs Savannah, GA

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

Reviewed by CitySpend Editorial Team · Updated

Savannah, GA outspends Sandy Springs, GA by a wide margin per resident — $24,281 versus $9,030, a 169% difference. A gap this size usually reflects a structurally different service mix or accounting scope rather than a single line item.

Sandy Springs, GA holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 80/100 (grade A) against 57/100 (grade C) for Savannah, GA — a 23-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.

Sandy Springs, GA reports no outstanding debt per resident in its Census filing, while Savannah, GA carries $9 per resident. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: parks and recreation leads in Sandy Springs, GA at $896 per resident and in Savannah, GA at $1,980.

They also fund themselves differently: intergovernmental transfers is the largest single revenue source in Sandy Springs, GA at 100% of total revenue, whereas Savannah, GA relies most on other revenue at 28%.

Summary

Savannah spends 62.8% more per capita than Sandy Springs ($15,251/person difference). Sandy Springs, GA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 80/100).

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
Savannah, GA
Pop. 147,583
C
57/100
Budget Balance4
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency36
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Sandy Springs
Savannah
Total Spending
$968.2M
$3.6B
Spending / Capita
$9,030
$24,281
Total Revenue
$2.4B
$2.8B
Revenue / Capita
$22,054
$18,788
Total Debt
$0
$1.3M
Debt / Capita
$0
$9
Population
107,221
147,583
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Sandy Springs$512
Savannah$408
Highways & Roads
Sandy Springs$605
Savannah$402
Parks & Recreation
Sandy Springs$896
Savannah$1,980
Education
Sandy Springs$0
Savannah$157

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

Sandy SpringsSavannah
Property Tax
$13
$18
Sales Tax
$394
$1,601
Income Tax
$0
$2,611
Intergovernmental
$22,054
$413
Charges & Fees
$0
$1,501
Other
$567
$5,349

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

Sandy SpringsSavannah
Fire Protection
$512
$408
Highways & Roads
$605
$402
Education
$0
$157
Public Welfare
$1,241
$3,035
Parks & Recreation
$896
$1,980
Housing
$2,400
$4,362
Sewerage
$0
$266
Utilities
$0
$5,827
Other
$3,375
$7,844
A
Sandy Springs, GA
Fiscal Health Score: 80/100
Excellent fiscal health
C
Savannah, GA
Fiscal Health Score: 57/100
Average fiscal health

Compare More Cities

Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.