Sandy UT vs Santa Rosa CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Santa Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sandy
94,723
Santa Rosa
129,239
Santa Rosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sandy
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Sandy
36.9
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Sandy
10.3%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Sandy
0.8%
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Santa Rosa +
Asian
Sandy
3.5%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Sandy
11.3%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Sandy
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 94,723 | 129,239 | Santa Rosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 10.3% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 81.8% | 31.9% | Sandy + |
| Black | 0.8% | 2.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sandy
$111,242
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Sandy
$50,592
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sandy
$60,713
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sandy
45.7%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,242 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,592 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.5% | 4.4% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.5% | 7.8% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.7% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sandy
$672,082
Sandy +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $672,082 | $720,443 | Sandy + |
| Homeownership Rate | 75.9% | 41.2% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 503 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 2388 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy
28.5%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
Santa Rosa
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
Santa Rosa
11.3%
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 10.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 16.7% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 10.4% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.8% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 11.3% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy
N/A
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy
N/A
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 59.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 32.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sandy
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 25.2 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, 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 Santa Rosa. 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, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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