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

Savannah, GA vs Sandy Springs, 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 Savannah, GA at $1,980 per resident and in Sandy Springs, GA at $896.

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

Summary

Savannah spends 168.9% 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
Savannah, GA
Pop. 147,583
C
57/100
Budget Balance4
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency36
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
Savannah
Sandy Springs
Total Spending
$3.6B
$968.2M
Spending / Capita
$24,281
$9,030
Total Revenue
$2.8B
$2.4B
Revenue / Capita
$18,788
$22,054
Total Debt
$1.3M
$0
Debt / Capita
$9
$0
Population
147,583
107,221
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

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

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

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

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

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

Compare More Cities

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