Renton WA 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)
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
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
Renton
75,721
Sandy
94,723
Sandy +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Renton
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Renton
48.7%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Renton
2.2%
Renton +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Renton
6.8%
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Spanish at Home
Renton
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Renton, WA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,721 | 94,723 | Sandy + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 36.9 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 44.4% | 10.3% | Renton + |
| White | 48.7% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 2.2% | 0.8% | Renton + |
| Asian | 39.2% | 3.5% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 6.8% | 11.3% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Sandy
$111,242
Per Capita Income
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Sandy
$50,592
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Renton
4.1%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Renton
5.8%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
Sandy
45.7%
| Metric | Renton, WA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $162,099 | $111,242 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $89,026 | $50,592 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $60,713 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.8% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.7% | 45.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Renton
$765,686
Sandy
$672,082
Sandy +
Homeownership Rate
Renton
45.2%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,686 | $672,082 | Sandy + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Renton
383
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Renton
3409
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Sandy
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Renton
8.5%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
Sandy
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Renton
9.1%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Renton
16.1%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Renton
8.9%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 28.5% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.5% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Renton
53.2°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Renton
40.1 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Renton, WA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Renton
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Renton, WA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Renton
25.4 min
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 24.6 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, 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 383 in Renton. 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, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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