Columbia MO 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)
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
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
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 94,723 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 36.9 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 10.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 74.3% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 12.1% | 0.8% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 3.5% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 11.3% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Sandy
$60,713
Sandy +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Sandy
45.7%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $60,713 | Sandy + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 45.7% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $672,082 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Sandy
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 8.7% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Sandy +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sandy + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 24.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. 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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