Palmdale CA 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)
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
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
Palmdale
44,998
Sandy
94,723
Sandy +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
Sandy
36.9
Sandy +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Palmdale +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 94,723 | Sandy + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 36.9 | Sandy + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 10.3% | Palmdale + |
| White | 69.3% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 5.4% | 0.8% | Palmdale + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 3.5% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 11.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Sandy
$50,592
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $50,592 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $60,713 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Palmdale +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $672,082 | Palmdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 24.6 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while palmdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $503,393. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. 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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