Minneapolis MN 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)
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
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
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Minneapolis
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Minneapolis
61.6%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Minneapolis
10.5%
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Spanish at Home
Minneapolis
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 94,723 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 36.9 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 10.3% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 61.6% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 18.3% | 0.8% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 3.5% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 11.3% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Minneapolis
$80,269
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Sandy
$50,592
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Minneapolis
5.7%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Minneapolis
16.4%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
Sandy
45.7%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,269 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,605 | $50,592 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $60,713 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.4% | 45.7% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Minneapolis
48.0%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $334,719 | $672,082 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.0% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
284
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
1992
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
28.6%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Sandy
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Minneapolis
17.1%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
9.9%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
19.8%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
12.7%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Minneapolis
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 24.6 min | Minneapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while minneapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $334,719. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Minneapolis. 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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