Athens GA 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
White
Athens
57.6%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 94,723 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 36.9 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 10.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 57.6% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 26.2% | 0.8% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 3.5% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 11.3% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Sandy
$60,713
Sandy +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Sandy
45.7%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $60,713 | Sandy + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 45.7% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $672,082 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Sandy
1931
| Metric | Athens, GA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1931 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Sandy
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Sandy
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Sandy
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Sandy
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Sandy
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Sandy
7.4%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 28.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Sandy +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sandy + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 24.6 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³).
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