Flint 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)
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
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
Flint
80,835
Sandy
94,723
Sandy +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Flint +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
White
Flint
34.4%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 94,723 | Sandy + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 36.9 | Flint + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 10.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 34.4% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 56.6% | 0.8% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 11.3% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Sandy
$60,713
Sandy +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $60,713 | Sandy + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $672,082 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Sandy
1931
| Metric | Flint, MI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1931 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Sandy
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.2% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Sandy +
| Metric | Flint, 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
Flint
25.0 min
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 24.6 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. 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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