Miami Gardens FL 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)

Miami Gardens, FL

Florida · Population: 11,627

  • Median HH Income$137,873
  • Median Home Price$472,888
  • Unemployment6.5%
  • Bachelor's+64.7%

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
Miami Gardens
11,627
Sandy
94,723
Sandy +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami Gardens
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Miami Gardens
37.7
Sandy
36.9
Sandy +
Foreign Born
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Miami Gardens +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Miami Gardens +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Miami Gardens +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Miami Gardens
N/A
Sandy
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Sandy
$111,242
Per Capita Income
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Sandy
$50,592
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Miami Gardens +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
Sandy
45.7%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Miami Gardens +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
Sandy
75.9%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
324
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +
Sandy
1931

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami Gardens
17.5%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Sandy
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
15.4%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
Sandy
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +

Which City is Right for You?

Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while miami Gardens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $472,888. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Miami Gardens. 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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About Miami Gardens & Sandy