Garland 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)
Garland, TX
Texas · Population: 245,298
- Median HH Income$74,717
- Median Home Price$289,605
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
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
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Garland
37.5%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 94,723 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 36.9 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 10.3% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 15.3% | 0.8% | Garland + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 3.5% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 11.3% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Garland +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $60,713 | Garland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $672,082 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Garland, 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
Garland
34.7%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Sandy +
| Metric | Garland, 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
Garland
32.5 min
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
| Metric | Garland, TX | 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 garland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,605. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. 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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