Provo 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)
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
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
Provo
114,303
Provo +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Provo
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Provo
78.6%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Provo
1.1%
Provo +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Provo
2.2%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Provo
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 94,723 | Provo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 23.7 | 36.9 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 10.3% | Provo + |
| White | 78.6% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 1.1% | 0.8% | Provo + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 11.3% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Provo
$62,800
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Provo
$26,755
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Provo
$60,713
Sandy
$60,713
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Provo
4.7%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Provo
22.3%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Provo
45.0%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,800 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,755 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $60,713 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.3% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.0% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Provo
$486,127
Provo +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Provo
39.9%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $486,127 | $672,082 | Provo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.9% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
245
Sandy
245
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
1931
Sandy
1931
Tie
| Metric | Provo, 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
Provo
30.7%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Sandy
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Provo
21.5%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Provo
12.6%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Sandy
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
Sandy
7.4%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 8.4% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 15.2% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.0% | 7.4% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
53.4°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
19.8 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Provo
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Provo, 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
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 24.6 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while provo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $486,127. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 245 in Provo. 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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