Austin 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Austin
59.9%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Austin +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 94,723 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 36.9 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 10.3% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 7.5% | 0.8% | Austin + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 3.5% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 11.3% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Sandy
$50,592
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Sandy
45.7%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $50,592 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $60,713 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 45.7% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Austin +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $672,082 | Austin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
30.1%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Sandy
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 8.4% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Sandy +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
25.8 min
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 24.6 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while austin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $511,264. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Austin. 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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