Raleigh NC 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)
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
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
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Raleigh
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Raleigh
53.8%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Raleigh
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 94,723 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 36.9 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 10.3% | Raleigh + |
| White | 53.8% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 27.5% | 0.8% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 4.7% | 3.5% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 11.3% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Raleigh
$82,424
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Raleigh
$49,948
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Raleigh
$59,120
Sandy
$60,713
Sandy +
Unemployment Rate
Raleigh
4.5%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Raleigh
11.4%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
Sandy
45.7%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $82,424 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,948 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $60,713 | Sandy + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.4% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 52.9% | 45.7% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Raleigh
51.2%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,807 | $672,082 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.2% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
398
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
1999
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
30.9%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.1%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Raleigh
16.6%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.7%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
15.3%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
10.5%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
61.1°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
46.2 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Raleigh
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Raleigh
25.1 min
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 24.6 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Raleigh. 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Raleigh, NCLos Angeles, CA vs Raleigh, NCChicago, IL vs Raleigh, NCHouston, TX vs Raleigh, NCPhoenix, AZ vs Raleigh, NCPhiladelphia, PA vs Raleigh, NC