Pittsburgh PA 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)
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
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
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
White
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Spanish at Home
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | 94,723 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 36.9 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 9.3% | 10.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 63.7% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 22.5% | 0.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 4.2% | 11.3% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
Sandy
45.7%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,137 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,590 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $60,713 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.8% | 45.7% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $240,538 | $672,082 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
319
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
Sandy
1931
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1931 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sandy
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sandy
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sandy
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sandy
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sandy
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Sandy
7.4%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 28.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Sandy +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sandy + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 24.6 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Pittsburgh. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³).
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