Charlotte 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 94,723 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 36.9 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 10.3% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 34.1% | 0.8% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 3.5% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 11.3% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Sandy
$60,713
Sandy +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Sandy
45.7%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $60,713 | Sandy + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 45.7% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $672,082 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Charlotte, 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
Charlotte
30.1%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Sandy
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.5% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, 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
Charlotte
26.7 min
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 24.6 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while charlotte offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,070. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charlotte. 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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