Columbus GA 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)
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
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
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 94,723 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.9 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 10.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 39.3% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 46.7% | 0.8% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 11.3% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Sandy
$60,713
Sandy +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $60,713 | Sandy + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $672,082 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Sandy
1931
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1931 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Sandy
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.2% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Sandy +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sandy + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 24.6 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. 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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