Cary NC 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)
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
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
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Sandy
36.9
Sandy +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Cary
60.1%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Cary
7.6%
Cary +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 94,723 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 36.9 | Sandy + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 10.3% | Cary + |
| White | 60.1% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 7.6% | 0.8% | Cary + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 3.5% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 11.3% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Sandy
$111,242
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Sandy
$50,592
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Sandy
$60,713
Sandy +
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Sandy
5.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Sandy
45.7%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $111,242 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $50,592 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $60,713 | Sandy + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 5.5% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 45.7% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Cary +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $672,082 | Cary + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Sandy
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Sandy
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Sandy
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Sandy
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 28.5% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 16.5% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 8.7% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.2% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Cary, NC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 24.6 min | Cary + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while cary offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $629,864. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Cary. 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, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
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