Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Sandy
36.9
Sandy +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 94,723 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 36.9 | Sandy + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 10.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 28.8% | 0.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 11.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Sandy
$50,592
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $50,592 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $60,713 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Fort Lauderdale +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $672,082 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Sandy
1931
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1931 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Sandy
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Sandy
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 24.6 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while fort Lauderdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,297. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Fort Lauderdale. 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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