Is Sandy Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Updated On January 31, 2022
Sandy, United States
Safety Index:
93
* Based on Research & Crime Data

Sandy is a city that started as a place for hard-working miners to get a good night’s sleep and has evolved into a middle-to-upper class suburban oasis.

In 2018, Money Magazine ranked Sandy as the #35 Best Place To Live in the United States.

If you ever watch the HBO series Big Love, this was the home base for the families, so some of the scenery might look familiar, even though much of the show’s interior shots were filmed in California.

This city is close to mountains and world-class skiing yet is self-sufficient with everything a non-skier needs to enjoy their time in Sandy.

There are pockets of development, like the downtown area known as The Cairnes.

More than 40 parks fill the Sandy, Utah, area, with the most popular being Dimple Dell Regional Park.

Here you can explore 644 acres on foot, bike, or horse.

The Shops at South Town is the gathering place for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

It’s a suburban area so committed to keeping the neighborhood spirit it limits the number of short-term rentals and taxi cabs allowed in the community.

This is the best basecamp you can find in Utah for a trip into the mountains.

Warnings & Dangers in Sandy

Overall Risk

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's a ridiculously low overall risk here. I had to check the crime stats three times just to be sure. All of them rank well below the national average. The biggest weather risk is a snowstorm, which is also a boom for ski resorts, so you can't be mad at that.

Transport & Taxis Risk

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

The Utah Transit Authority makes it very easy to get all around the Salt Lake City metro area with a light rail system, busses and rides on-demand. You can take a shuttle to the ski resort of your choice. Even taxi cabs are strongly regulated and limited, so there isn't an excess of cabs in a residential area. There's a low risk here.

Pickpockets Risk

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

In 2020, there was one report of pickpocketing, giving this a low risk. Of the thefts reported, 60% of them were residential. Half of the thefts involved stealing from a car, either at a residence or in public.

Natural Disasters Risk

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

Sandy gets 61 inches of snow a year on average, which isn't a disaster, but it's more than twice as much as the national average. The economy relies on snow activities, so this is good news, but if you aren't used to traveling in snow you'll need to quickly learn. Severe thunderstorms can happen in the summer and there's a rare tornado. Wildfires are a risk any time of year. If you are cool with mounds of snow, there's a low risk, and if you have never seen it before, there's medium risk.

Mugging Risk

MUGGING RISK: LOW

There's a one in 3460 chance of being a robbery victim, so we'll call that low risk. You should be aware of your surroundings when in the major retail areas or tourist corridors so you don't create a crime of opportunity. For a better way to protect your belongings, check out major outdoor retailers like Columbia or North Face. They have wallets designed to keep them out of sight and safe in frigid conditions.

Terrorism Risk

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

There's a low risk here as there aren't any hard targets, but any major metropolitan area could be at risk. I'm sure when the Olympics were here in 2002 there was a much higher concern, but day to day in the 2020s, there's a little ongoing risk.

Scams Risk

SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM

I'm going to give this a medium risk because I have trust issues. This is a wealthy suburban area (average income is $94,018) and nice, god-fearing people. That puts anyone at risk of a scam because con artists prey on the nice side of a victim. . There has been a new version of an old scam showing up in Utah, where someone does the old "your grandson is in trouble" story and asks for money. The new twist is that someone shows up to pick up the money. Sandy Police recommend never answering the phone from a number you don't recognize.

Women Travelers Risk

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

There is a low risk for women here. The popular app Meet Up is even more popular in Sandy with plenty of activities geared toward niche events - like women's activities or hiking enthusiasts.

Tap Water Risk

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

There's *low risk. On the plus side, the Metropolitan Water District of Salt Lake and Sandy (Metro) was awarded "Best Overall Water" and "Best Surface Water" at the 2021 American Water Works Intermountain Section Conference. The asterisk comes from a citation in 2019 where high levels of metal were found in the water. It was due to a malfunction after a major winter storm and the affected areas were notified within 24 hours as required. So, the tap water IS safe, it is just prone to sporadic issues like anywhere else. This is just a major one worth noting.

Safest Places to Visit in Sandy

The Shops at South Town is the place to go shopping and dining in Sandy for those who want the typical suburban experience.

It’s one of the largest entertainment districts in the state.

Soccer fans will love RioTinto Stadium where Real Salt Lake plays.

(That’s pronounced “Ree-al”, not “Reel”).

The team is known commonly as “RSL”.

Dimple Dell Regional Park is the most popular outdoor space in Sandy, but there’s so much more outdoor exploring to do just east of the area.

Mountains with skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, and science drives fill the eastern edge of the Salt Lake Valley.

The closest ski resort is Snowbird and it’s just 12 miles east.

UTA runs hourly shuttles back and forth for less than $5.

Utah Olympic Park is 30 miles away.

You can take public transportation to get there, but it will require riding the light rail then transferring to a bus.

A taxi is going to set you back $100.

It would be a good trip to rent a car or have a local friend drive you there.

Places to Avoid in Sandy

Crime maps show all areas of this town are safe, with a spike as the community nears Interstate 15, but even the word “spike” is a stretch of the imagination.

There’s a hashtag for safety in Sandy.

It’s #SandySecure.

Sandy Police started this mission to keep residents and visitors aware of crimes and teach them crime safety steps.

In a place like Sandy, people might feel safe enough to leave cars unlocked or even keep the keys inside.

Don’t do this.

Always leave your vehicle as if you are parking it in the most dangerous city ever.

Roll up windows, lock the doors, keep valuables out of plain sight, and use an anti-theft device if you can.

If you are enjoying the miles of trails in Sandy, never wear valuables and always be confident and aware of your surroundings.

Stay in well-lit areas at night.

Above all, trust your gut.

If something doesn’t feel right, run away and call the police if necessary.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Sandy

  1. Salt Lake City’s tourism organization offers several “Super Pass” or “Connect Pass” options for seeing attractions at a discounted price. One of them is a Ski Super Pass that touts the option to “pay less to get to the lifts faster.” You should look into which Super Pass might be right for your visit. Paying ahead of time avoids having to pull credit cards or cash out a lot.
  2. If you are hiking in or around Sandy, bring plenty of water. It’s a more arid climate and dehydration can quickly set in.
  3. Elevation changes during hiking or skiing can wreak havoc on your breathing. If you are coming from a lower elevation, it’s wise to get used to the 4500-foot elevation in Sandy before heading to a ski resort, where you can quickly get to 7000 – 8500 feet. Signs of altitude sickness are headaches, nausea, and loss of appetite. I once moved to a high-altitude location and it literally felt, at first, like there wasn’t enough air to fill my lungs. Don’t panic. Just take the time to adjust and don’t overexert yourself.
  4. There are 48 Mormon churches in Sandy, Utah. Compare that to the four Baptist churches. This is a heavily Mormon community and state, and Mormons have a mission to speak their faith and convert people if they can. If you are approached, whether once or repeatedly, by Mormons, don’t get into a religious debate. Nobody is going to win that argument. Simply say you don’t want to talk about it if it makes you uncomfortable.
  5. There are just 12 hotels in Sandy, Utah, with less than 1300 rooms total. If you are going to travel to Sandy during peak ski season in the winter or the busy summer months, book early. Nearby South Jordan and West Jordan are good options for hotels as well.
  6. If you are in Sandy during a snowstorm, get your car off the public roads 24 hours before and after the storm. The snowplows need to be able to navigate through the streets, and the city won’t think twice about towing your car to make room for the plow. Check the city website for parking restrictions if you are there during a snowstorm.
  7. Don’t waste water in Sandy. The state is in a drought and water conservation is necessary. This includes basic steps like turning off the water while brushing your teeth and shortening a 10-minute shower to a 5-minute shower. To learn more about water conservation in the area, visit Sego Lily Gardens for a beautiful yet educational experience.
  8. If you are driving into Little Cottonwood Canyon, whether it’s for a ski date with a mountain, or just to see the sights, make sure you have a full tank of gas. The traffic can be intense in this area. The city is working to build alternative transport around the canyon, but that master plan runs through 2050. Until then, you’ll risk being stuck in traffic and you don’t want to run out of gas.
  9. Some places in Sandy are too close to drive to yet too far to walk, and that’s where electric scooter rentals come in. For a few bucks, you can rent a scooter to get around. Check out the Sandy city website for links to the rental apps.
  10. If you are visiting the Great Salt Lake while you are in Sandy, know that sometimes it has a nasty smell from bacteria that surface. Some locals have dubbed it “Stink Lake.” There are also plenty of bugs that can infest the Great Salt Lake shores. Check out the Great Salt Lake website to see if there are any environmental concerns while you are visiting.

So... How Safe Is Sandy Really?

It’s completely safe.

The crime numbers are so low when compared to national numbers it’s hard to believe they are true.

VIOLENT CRIME

Sandy: 17 per 100k
US: 399 per 100k

THEFT

Sandy: 425 per 100k
US: 1398 per 100k

ROBBERY

Sandy: 28 per 100k
US: 79 per 100k

There are standard safety warnings like locking your car, hiding valuables from plain sight, always walking with confidence and looking people in the eye, don’t show off large amounts of cash, and the like.

There’s nothing specific about Sandy or any of its neighborhoods that should make a tourist think twice.

How Does Sandy Compare?

CitySafety Index
Sandy93
Honolulu65
Chicago65
Dallas64
Memphis54
Orlando64
Las Vegas62
Sydney (Australia)80
Santiago de Chile (Chile)71
Vienna (Austria)88
Hong Kong (China)70
Manama (Bahrain)54
Tianjin (China)67

Useful Information

Visas

Visas

All Visa requirements are handled when you arrive in the country at the airport. There's nothing additional needed to travel to Sandy, Utah.

Currency

Currency

You'll use U.S. Dollar currency at all stores, venues, and ski resorts. Many venues allow you to pre-purchase tickets, so you don't have to pull out a credit card or cash often.

Weather

Weather

The weather in Sandy can get bitterly cold and insanely hot. Winters are cold and snowy. Summers can reach into the 90s during the day with a hot, bright sun. You should bring sunscreen for any time of year due to the intensity of the sun at higher elevations. Winter travelers need to pack layers of clothing to deal with the cold. Summer travelers should always bring a jacket, just in case.

Airports

Airports

The only option for commercial travel that makes sense is the Salt Lake City International Airport. It's less than a 30-minute drive from Sandy. The first flight of my life was to Salt Lake City, and if you are approaching from west to east, it feels like you are going to land on the lake before the runway pops up.

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance

Snowstorms are the joy of the local economy, but can also impact travel, so you'll want travel insurance for your trip to Sandy, Utah.

Click here to get an offer for travel insurance

Sandy Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan -1° C
Feb 3° C
Mar 8° C
Apr 11° C
May 16° C
Jun 22° C
Jul 27° C
Aug 26° C
Sep 21° C
Oct 13° C
Nov 5° C
Dec 1° C
Choose Temperature Unit

Average High/Low Temperature

Temperature / MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High
°C
481317222933322719105
Low
°C
-5-225101520191470-4
High
°F
394655637284919081665041
Low
°F
232836415059686657453225

Utah - Safety by City

CitySafety Index
Ogden72
Park City78
Provo94
Salt Lake City55
Sandy93
St. George94
West Jordan94
West Valley City65

Where to Next?

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