Hilo HI 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)
Hilo, HI
Hawaii · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$552,686
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Hilo
N/A
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hilo
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Hilo
N/A
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Hilo
N/A
Sandy
10.3%
White
Hilo
N/A
Sandy
81.8%
Black
Hilo
N/A
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Hilo
N/A
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Hilo
N/A
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Hilo
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Hilo, HI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 94,723 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 36.9 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 10.3% | - |
| White | N/A | 81.8% | - |
| Black | N/A | 0.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.5% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 11.3% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hilo
N/A
Sandy
$111,242
Per Capita Income
Hilo
N/A
Sandy
$50,592
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hilo
$63,296
Hilo +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Hilo
N/A
Sandy
2.5%
Poverty Rate
Hilo
N/A
Sandy
5.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hilo
N/A
Sandy
45.7%
| Metric | Hilo, HI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $111,242 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $50,592 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,296 | $60,713 | Hilo + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 2.5% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 5.5% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 45.7% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hilo
$552,686
Hilo +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Hilo
N/A
Sandy
75.9%
| Metric | Hilo, HI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $552,686 | $672,082 | Hilo + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 75.9% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hilo
276
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hilo
2592
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Hilo, HI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 276 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2592 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hilo
25.2%
Hilo +
Sandy
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hilo
12.8%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hilo
15.2%
Hilo +
Sandy
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hilo
6.4%
Hilo +
Sandy
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hilo
16.7%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hilo
13.3%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Hilo, HI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.2% | 28.5% | Hilo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 16.5% | Hilo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 8.7% | Hilo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hilo
73.9°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hilo
126.7 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Hilo, HI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 126.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hilo
3.3 µg/m³
Hilo +
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hilo
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hilo, HI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.3 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Hilo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hilo
N/A
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Hilo, HI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 24.6 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Hilo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $552,686. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 276 in Hilo. Hilo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hilo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.2%.
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