Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Sandy
36.9
Sandy +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Sandy
81.8%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Boise +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 94,723 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 36.9 | Sandy + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 10.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 83.6% | 81.8% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 0.8% | Boise + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 11.3% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Sandy
$60,713
Sandy +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Sandy
45.7%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $60,713 | Sandy + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 45.7% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $672,082 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Sandy
1931
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1931 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Sandy
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Sandy
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Sandy
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Sandy
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Sandy
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Sandy
7.4%
| Metric | Boise, ID | 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
Boise
49.9°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 24.6 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while boise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $504,894. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 251 in Boise. 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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