Abilene TX vs Sandy UT — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Abilene, TX
Texas · Population: 127,130
- Median HH Income$62,720
- Median Home Price$214,916
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+27.1%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Abilene +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 94,723 | Abilene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 36.9 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 10.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 66.6% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 10.3% | 0.8% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 11.3% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Abilene +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $60,713 | Abilene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $672,082 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Sandy +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sandy + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 24.6 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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