Sandy UT vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sandy
94,723
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sandy
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Sandy
36.9
Sandy +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Topeka
71.0%
Black
Sandy
0.8%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Sandy
11.3%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Sandy
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 94,723 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 38.2 | Sandy + |
| Foreign Born | 10.3% | 5.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 81.8% | 71.0% | Sandy + |
| Black | 0.8% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 1.8% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sandy
$60,713
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,242 | $55,902 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,592 | $33,290 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.5% | 4.9% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.5% | 15.6% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.7% | 29.1% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sandy
$672,082
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $672,082 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 75.9% | 59.2% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 449 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 2174 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
Topeka
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sandy
15.2%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 39.7% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 13.1% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 16.8% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 11.4% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 16.9% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy
N/A
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy
N/A
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sandy
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sandy
24.6 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. 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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