Mesquite 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)
Mesquite, TX
Texas · Population: 148,848
- Median HH Income$71,843
- Median Home Price$263,551
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+18.5%
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
Mesquite
148,848
Mesquite +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesquite
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Mesquite
33.4
Mesquite +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Mesquite
21.0%
Mesquite +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Mesquite
37.8%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Mesquite
24.7%
Mesquite +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Mesquite
3.0%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
Mesquite
44.7%
Mesquite +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Mesquite
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,848 | 94,723 | Mesquite + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 36.9 | Mesquite + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 10.3% | Mesquite + |
| White | 37.8% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 24.7% | 0.8% | Mesquite + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 44.7% | 11.3% | Mesquite + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesquite
$71,843
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Mesquite
$29,291
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesquite
$63,758
Mesquite +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Mesquite
4.8%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Mesquite
12.4%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesquite
18.5%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,843 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,291 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $60,713 | Mesquite + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.5% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesquite
$263,551
Mesquite +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Mesquite
63.2%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $263,551 | $672,082 | Mesquite + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesquite
442
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesquite
2339
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Mesquite, 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
Mesquite
46.4%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesquite
12.9%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesquite
18.7%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesquite
23.4%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesquite
13.4%
Mesquite +
Sandy
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesquite
18.5%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 15.2% | Mesquite + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesquite
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesquite
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesquite
9.2 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesquite
55.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Sandy +
| Metric | Mesquite, 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
Mesquite
35.6 min
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.6 min | 24.6 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while mesquite offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $263,551. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Mesquite. 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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