Orem UT 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)
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
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
Orem
86,973
Sandy
94,723
Sandy +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Orem
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Orem
10.5%
Orem +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Orem
77.1%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Orem
1.9%
Orem +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Orem
1.6%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Orem
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Orem, UT | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 86,973 | 94,723 | Sandy + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 36.9 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 10.3% | Orem + |
| White | 77.1% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 1.9% | 0.8% | Orem + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 11.3% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Orem
$70,053
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Orem
$33,579
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Orem
$60,713
Sandy
$60,713
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Orem
4.0%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Orem
12.7%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Orem
25.6%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Orem, UT | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,053 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $60,713 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.6% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Orem
$509,396
Orem +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Orem
60.9%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Orem, UT | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $509,396 | $672,082 | Orem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.9% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Orem
245
Sandy
245
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Orem
1931
Sandy
1931
Tie
| Metric | Orem, UT | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 245 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 1931 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Orem
30.3%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Sandy
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Orem
17.1%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Orem
11.5%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Sandy
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
Sandy
7.4%
| Metric | Orem, UT | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 8.4% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 15.2% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 7.4% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Orem
52.5°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Orem
13.3 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Orem, UT | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Orem
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Orem, UT | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Orem
24.5 min
Orem +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Orem, UT | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 24.6 min | Orem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while orem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $509,396. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 245 in Orem. 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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