Sandy UT vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sandy
94,723
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sandy
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Sandy
36.9
Sandy +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Sandy
10.3%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Sandy
0.8%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Sandy
3.5%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Sandy
11.3%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Sandy
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 94,723 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 37.3 | Sandy + |
| Foreign Born | 10.3% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 81.8% | 59.4% | Sandy + |
| Black | 0.8% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Tacoma
$83,857
Per Capita Income
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Tacoma
$44,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sandy
$60,713
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Tacoma
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,242 | $83,857 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,592 | $44,756 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.5% | 5.3% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.5% | 12.0% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.7% | 33.5% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sandy
$672,082
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Homeownership Rate
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $672,082 | $496,966 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 75.9% | 56.5% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 383 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 3409 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Tacoma
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 37.3% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 10.9% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 18.7% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 9.3% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.8% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 11.9% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy
N/A
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy
N/A
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sandy
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 31.1 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while tacoma offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $496,966. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Tacoma. 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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