Huntsville AL 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)
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
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
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Huntsville +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 94,723 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 36.9 | Huntsville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 10.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 58.4% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 29.7% | 0.8% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 11.3% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Sandy
$60,713
Sandy +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Sandy
45.7%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $60,713 | Sandy + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 45.7% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $672,082 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Sandy
1931
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1931 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Sandy
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Sandy
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.5% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.2% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 24.6 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Huntsville. 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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