Sandy UT vs Torrance 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%
Torrance, CA
California · Population: 95,358
- Median HH Income$118,253
- Median Home Price$1,128,110
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sandy
94,723
Torrance
95,358
Torrance +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sandy
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Sandy
36.9
Torrance
35.2
Torrance +
Foreign Born
Sandy
10.3%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Sandy
0.8%
Torrance
6.1%
Torrance +
Asian
Sandy
3.5%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Sandy
11.3%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Sandy
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 94,723 | 95,358 | Torrance + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 35.2 | Torrance + |
| Foreign Born | 10.3% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 81.8% | 34.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 0.8% | 6.1% | Torrance + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sandy
$111,242
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Torrance
$42,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sandy
$60,713
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Torrance
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Torrance
7.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,242 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,592 | $42,884 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.5% | 5.9% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.5% | 7.7% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.7% | 26.2% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sandy
$672,082
Sandy +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
Torrance
64.0%
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $672,082 | $1,128,110 | Sandy + |
| Homeownership Rate | 75.9% | 64.0% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
Torrance
2388
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Torrance, 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%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Torrance
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sandy
16.5%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sandy
8.7%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sandy
15.2%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
Torrance
8.0%
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 10.6% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.0% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy
N/A
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy
N/A
Torrance
14.5 in
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 14.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sandy
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Torrance, 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 +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 44.9 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, 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 Torrance. 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, Torrance scores better with a lower obesity rate of 20.3%.
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