Sandy UT vs Sunnyvale 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sandy
94,723
Sunnyvale
153,455
Sunnyvale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sandy
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Sandy
36.9
Sunnyvale
35.1
Sunnyvale +
Foreign Born
Sandy
10.3%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Sandy
0.8%
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Sunnyvale +
Asian
Sandy
3.5%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Sandy
11.3%
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Spanish at Home
Sandy
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 94,723 | 153,455 | Sunnyvale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 35.1 | Sunnyvale + |
| Foreign Born | 10.3% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 81.8% | 30.4% | Sandy + |
| Black | 0.8% | 1.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 16.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sandy
$111,242
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Sandy
$50,592
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sandy
$60,713
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Poverty Rate
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sandy
45.7%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,242 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,592 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.5% | 4.1% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.5% | 5.6% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.7% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sandy
$672,082
Sandy +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $672,082 | $2,144,024 | Sandy + |
| Homeownership Rate | 75.9% | 43.8% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Sunnyvale, 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%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy
8.4%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sandy
16.5%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sandy
8.7%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sandy
15.2%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sandy
7.4%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Sunnyvale, CA | 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 +
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sandy
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Sunnyvale, 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 +
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 25.3 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, 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 Sunnyvale. 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, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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