Sandy UT vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sandy
94,723
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sandy
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Sandy
36.9
Sandy +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Sandy
10.3%
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
White
Sandy
81.8%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Sandy
0.8%
Scottsdale
2.0%
Scottsdale +
Asian
Sandy
3.5%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Sandy
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 94,723 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 49.2 | Sandy + |
| Foreign Born | 10.3% | 11.2% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 81.8% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 0.8% | 2.0% | Scottsdale + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 9.4% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Scottsdale
$107,372
Per Capita Income
Sandy
$50,592
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sandy
$60,713
Sandy +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Scottsdale
3.4%
Poverty Rate
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Scottsdale
7.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sandy
45.7%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,242 | $107,372 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,592 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $59,120 | Sandy + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.5% | 3.4% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.5% | 7.1% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.7% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sandy
$672,082
Sandy +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
Scottsdale
67.6%
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $672,082 | $858,307 | Sandy + |
| Homeownership Rate | 75.9% | 67.6% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 450 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 2150 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy
28.5%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sandy
16.5%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sandy
8.7%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Scottsdale
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sandy
7.4%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Tie
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 9.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.4% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 7.4% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy
N/A
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy
N/A
Scottsdale
10.3 in
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sandy
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sandy
24.6 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
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 450 in Scottsdale. 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, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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