El Paso TX 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Sandy
10.3%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
El Paso +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 94,723 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 36.9 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 10.3% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 3.6% | 0.8% | El Paso + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 11.3% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $60,713 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $672,082 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Sandy +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sandy + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 24.6 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. 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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