Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 94,723 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 36.9 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 10.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 25.0% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 62.9% | 0.8% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 11.3% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Sandy
$60,713
Sandy +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $60,713 | Sandy + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $672,082 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Sandy
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.2% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 24.6 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. 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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