Sandy UT vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sandy
94,723
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Tuscaloosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sandy
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Sandy
36.9
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Sandy
0.8%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Sandy
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 94,723 | 107,699 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 10.3% | 4.7% | Sandy + |
| White | 81.8% | 49.6% | Sandy + |
| Black | 0.8% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 2.6% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 5.2% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sandy
$60,713
Sandy +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,242 | $48,536 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,592 | $31,324 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $51,690 | Sandy + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.5% | 7.0% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.5% | 23.8% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.7% | 38.1% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sandy
$672,082
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $672,082 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 75.9% | 45.1% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy
1931
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 400 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sandy
15.2%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 42.6% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 12.0% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 21.3% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 11.5% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 14.7% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy
N/A
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy
N/A
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sandy
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sandy
24.6 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. 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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