Albany NY 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)
Albany, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
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
Albany
100,081
Albany +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Albany
53.0%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 94,723 | Albany + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 36.9 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 10.3% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 26.6% | 0.8% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 3.5% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 11.3% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $60,713 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $672,082 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Sandy
1931
| Metric | Albany, NY | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1931 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Sandy
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 8.7% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 24.6 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. 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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