Fullerton CA 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)
Fullerton, CA
California · Population: 141,278
- Median HH Income$104,219
- Median Home Price$1,047,700
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
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
Fullerton
141,278
Fullerton +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fullerton
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Fullerton
36.1
Fullerton +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Fullerton
28.9%
Fullerton +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Fullerton
43.0%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Fullerton
2.1%
Fullerton +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Fullerton
24.5%
Fullerton +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Fullerton
39.6%
Fullerton +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Fullerton
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,278 | 94,723 | Fullerton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 36.9 | Fullerton + |
| Foreign Born | 28.9% | 10.3% | Fullerton + |
| White | 43.0% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 2.1% | 0.8% | Fullerton + |
| Asian | 24.5% | 3.5% | Fullerton + |
| Hispanic | 39.6% | 11.3% | Fullerton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fullerton
$104,219
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Fullerton
$48,061
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fullerton
$77,230
Fullerton +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Fullerton
6.5%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Fullerton
12.2%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fullerton
43.6%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,219 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,061 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $60,713 | Fullerton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.6% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fullerton
$1,047,700
Sandy
$672,082
Sandy +
Homeownership Rate
Fullerton
51.5%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,047,700 | $672,082 | Sandy + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
503
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
2388
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
23.9%
Fullerton +
Sandy
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.9%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fullerton
16.8%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.2%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
15.0%
Fullerton +
Sandy
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
9.2%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.9% | 28.5% | Fullerton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.2% | Fullerton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
65.1°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
13.9 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fullerton
7.9 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fullerton
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fullerton
32.5 min
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 24.6 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while sandy offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $672,082. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fullerton. 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, Fullerton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.9%.
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