Sandy UT vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sandy
94,723
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sandy
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Sandy
36.9
Sandy +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Sandy
0.8%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Sandy
3.5%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Sandy
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 94,723 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 37.4 | Sandy + |
| Foreign Born | 10.3% | 9.1% | Sandy + |
| White | 81.8% | 61.6% | Sandy + |
| Black | 0.8% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 8.9% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Per Capita Income
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sandy
$60,713
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,242 | $90,685 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,592 | $47,372 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.5% | 4.3% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.5% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.7% | 40.4% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sandy
$672,082
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
Virginia Beach
64.9%
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $672,082 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 75.9% | 64.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy
245
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy
1931
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sandy
8.7%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 36.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 11.8% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 16.7% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.6% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.1% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Virginia Beach, VA | 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 +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sandy
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Sandy +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 25.0 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 245 in Sandy. 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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