Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Houston
35.5%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 94,723 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 36.9 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 10.3% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 22.9% | 0.8% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 3.5% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 11.3% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $60,713 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $672,082 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
38.0%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Sandy +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
29.6 min
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 24.6 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. 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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