Colorado Springs CO 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)
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
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
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Colorado Springs +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Colorado Springs +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 94,723 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 36.9 | Colorado Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 10.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 72.3% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 5.8% | 0.8% | Colorado Springs + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 11.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $60,713 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Colorado Springs +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $672,082 | Colorado Springs + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Sandy
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 28.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Colorado Springs +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 24.6 min | Colorado Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while colorado Springs offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $451,202. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Colorado Springs. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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