Salt Lake City UT 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)
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
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
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salt Lake City
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Salt Lake City +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Salt Lake City
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 203,888 | 94,723 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 36.9 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 15.4% | 10.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 70.5% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 2.7% | 0.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 3.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 20.8% | 11.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Sandy
$60,713
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
Sandy
45.7%
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,925 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,642 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $60,713 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.4% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.9% | 45.7% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Salt Lake City +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Salt Lake City
46.8%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,126 | $672,082 | Salt Lake City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.8% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
245
Sandy
245
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
1931
Sandy
1931
Tie
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 245 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 1931 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Sandy
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.5% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 8.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.3 min | 24.6 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while salt Lake City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,126. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 245 in Salt Lake City. 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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