Omaha NE 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)
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
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
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Omaha
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Omaha
35.3
Omaha +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Omaha
10.9%
Omaha +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Omaha
68.8%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Omaha
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | 94,723 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 36.9 | Omaha + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 10.3% | Omaha + |
| White | 68.8% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 11.8% | 0.8% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 3.5% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 15.6% | 11.3% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Omaha
$72,708
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Omaha
$42,515
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Omaha
4.2%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Omaha
12.8%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Omaha
40.3%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,708 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,515 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $60,713 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.3% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Omaha
57.7%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,017 | $672,082 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
294
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
1960
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
37.5%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
10.2%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
Sandy
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Omaha
12.0%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Omaha
20.0%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Omaha
14.2%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 16.5% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
51.1°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
30.6 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Omaha
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 24.6 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while omaha offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,017. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Omaha. 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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