Saint Paul MN 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)
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
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
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Saint Paul
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Saint Paul
53.2%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Saint Paul
9.1%
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Spanish at Home
Saint Paul
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 94,723 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 36.9 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 10.3% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 53.2% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 16.2% | 0.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 17.9% | 3.5% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | 11.3% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Saint Paul
$73,055
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Saint Paul
$41,594
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Saint Paul
4.9%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Saint Paul
15.8%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Saint Paul
43.5%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,055 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,594 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $60,713 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.5% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Saint Paul
53.2%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,021 | $672,082 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.2% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
284
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
1992
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Sandy
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Sandy
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Saint Paul
N/A
Sandy
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Sandy
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Sandy
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Sandy
7.4%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 28.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Saint Paul
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | 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
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Saint Paul +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 24.6 min | Saint Paul + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Saint Paul. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³).
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