Sandy UT vs Sterling Heights MI — 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%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sandy
94,723
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sandy
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Sandy
36.9
Sandy +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Sandy
10.3%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Black
Sandy
0.8%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Sandy
3.5%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Sandy
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 94,723 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 41.5 | Sandy + |
| Foreign Born | 10.3% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 81.8% | 78.9% | Sandy + |
| Black | 0.8% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 2.4% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sandy
$60,713
Sandy +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,242 | $78,429 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,592 | $37,315 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $58,052 | Sandy + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.5% | 6.2% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.5% | 10.6% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.7% | 31.2% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sandy
$672,082
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Sandy
75.9%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $672,082 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 75.9% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy
1931
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 471 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sandy
8.7%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 36.0% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 11.5% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 17.2% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.4% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 15.3% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Sterling Heights, MI | 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.)
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sandy
75.0%
Sandy +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Sandy + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 27.5 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. 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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