Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 94,723 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.9 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 10.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 11.7% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 76.8% | 0.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 11.3% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Sandy
$60,713
Sandy +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $60,713 | Sandy + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $672,082 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Sandy
1931
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1931 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Sandy
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.2% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Sandy +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sandy + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 24.6 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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