Pasadena 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)
Pasadena, CA
California · Population: 67,231
- Median HH Income$220,408
- Median Home Price$1,215,642
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+82.4%
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
Pasadena
67,231
Sandy
94,723
Sandy +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
42.5
Sandy
36.9
Sandy +
Foreign Born
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Pasadena
48.4%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Pasadena
2.2%
Pasadena +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Pasadena
7.1%
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,231 | 94,723 | Sandy + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 36.9 | Sandy + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 10.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 48.4% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 2.2% | 0.8% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 36.1% | 3.5% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 7.1% | 11.3% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Sandy
$111,242
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Sandy
$50,592
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.7%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Sandy
5.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
Sandy
45.7%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $220,408 | $111,242 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $121,565 | $50,592 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $60,713 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.4% | 5.5% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 82.4% | 45.7% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Sandy
$672,082
Sandy +
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
54.2%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,215,642 | $672,082 | Sandy + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
503
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2388
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Pasadena, 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
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Sandy
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
10.7%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
Sandy
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Sandy
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
15.4%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
9.2%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 28.5% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 16.5% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.7% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
67.0°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
21.2 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pasadena, 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
Pasadena
24.8 min
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 24.6 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while sandy offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $672,082. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pasadena. 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, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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