Salinas CA 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)
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
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
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salinas
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Salinas
21.8%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Salinas
1.4%
Salinas +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Salinas
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 161,993 | 94,723 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 36.9 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 10.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 21.8% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 1.4% | 0.8% | Salinas + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 3.5% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 80.3% | 11.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salinas
$89,150
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Salinas
$28,813
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Salinas
4.7%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Salinas
14.2%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salinas
15.5%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $89,150 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,813 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $60,713 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 15.5% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salinas
$751,711
Sandy
$672,082
Sandy +
Homeownership Rate
Salinas
47.0%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $751,711 | $672,082 | Sandy + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.0% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
503
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
2388
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
32.8%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.4%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salinas
18.2%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salinas
22.4%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salinas
16.8%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.9%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.8% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
57.3°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
15.5 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salinas
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salinas
28.8 min
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 24.6 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, 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 503 in Salinas. 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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