Rochester NY 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)
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
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
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
White
Rochester
41.5%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 94,723 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 36.9 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 10.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 41.5% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 37.5% | 0.8% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 11.3% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $60,713 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $672,082 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
Sandy
1931
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1931 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
38.0%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 24.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. 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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