Sandy UT vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sandy
94,723
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sandy
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Sandy
36.9
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Sandy
10.3%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Sandy
0.8%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Sandy
11.3%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Sandy
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 94,723 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 10.3% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 81.8% | 48.7% | Sandy + |
| Black | 0.8% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 2.3% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sandy
$60,713
Sandy +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,242 | $57,673 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,592 | $35,074 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $59,120 | Sandy + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.5% | 5.9% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.5% | 17.9% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.7% | 37.2% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sandy
$672,082
Wilmington
$419,326
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $672,082 | $419,326 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 75.9% | 54.6% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 398 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 1999 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Wilmington
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Wilmington
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Wilmington
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
Wilmington
12.2%
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 31.9% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 10.7% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 17.4% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 9.6% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 17.5% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.2% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy
N/A
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sandy
N/A
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sandy
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sandy
24.6 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Sandy, UT | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $419,326. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Wilmington. 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Sandy, UTLos Angeles, CA vs Sandy, UTChicago, IL vs Sandy, UTHouston, TX vs Sandy, UTPhoenix, AZ vs Sandy, UTPhiladelphia, PA vs Sandy, UT