Richmond VA 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)
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
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
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Richmond
8.6%
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
White
Richmond
43.2%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Richmond
2.1%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
Richmond
10.3%
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 94,723 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 36.9 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 10.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 43.2% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 42.0% | 0.8% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 11.3% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$62,671
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$44,249
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
6.0%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
18.8%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
44.1%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,671 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,249 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $60,713 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$374,265
Richmond +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
43.5%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $374,265 | $672,082 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.5% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Sandy
245
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
Sandy
1931
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 245 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1931 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
36.7%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.3%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
18.8%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
10.7%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
16.2%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.9°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
43.6 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 24.6 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while richmond offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $374,265. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 245 in Sandy. 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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