F
26%
Overall NAT. AVG.
1%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
92%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Sandy Utah National
Cost of living126101100
Goods & Services10198100
Groceries9897100
Health care9393100
Housing192113100
Transportation106103100
Utilities8584100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Sandy, UT

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Sandy is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Sandy is 126, which is 26% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Sandy may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Sandy falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs are a very significant part of the Sandy cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 91.5% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.

Is Sandy Affordable?

Wondering if Sandy is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Sandy, for example, the median home price is 109.6% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 49.2% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Sandy boasting a median household income of $140,571, which is 72.8% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Sandy?

Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Sandy, the transportation index stands at 5.9% higher than the national average.

Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.

Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Sandy, is 91.5% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Sandy displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Sandy is 25% higher than the Utah average
  • The cost of living in Sandy is 26% higher than the national average
  • Sandy housing is 92% higher than the national average
  • Utah general sales tax is 20% higher than the national average
  • Utah state income tax is 87% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Sandy

See all the best places to live around Sandy

Compare Sandy, UT Cost of Living

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      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$158,183$13,182$3,691$4,746
      Renters$88,606$7,384$2,067$2,658
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Sandy, UT, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Sandy homeowners, is $158,183. This would allow for a maximum of $3,691 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $88,606 which would result in a maximum of $2,067 to be spent on rental costs.

      Utah Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Utah 6.1% 8.35%

      Utah Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Utah 4.85% 4.85%

      Goods & Services

      Item Sandy National avg. Difference
      Haircut $25.37$27.628.1%
      Beauty Salon $53.45$51.114.6%
      Toothpaste $3.99$4.092.5%
      Shampoo $1.31$1.5415.0%
      Movie $12.26$12.884.8%
      Yoga $22.59$19.6614.9%

      Groceries

      Item Sandy National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $8.12$7.705.4%
      Fried Chicken $1.52$1.668.6%
      Milk $4.68$4.731.1%
      Potatoes $4.74$5.269.8%
      Pizza $14.52$12.7613.8%
      Beer $10.36$10.551.8%

      Health Care

      Item Sandy National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $127.30$140.069.1%
      Doctor $155.73$153.821.2%
      Dentist $100.28$123.1518.6%
      Ibuprofen $11.78$11.730.4%
      Lipitor $22.85$23.613.2%

      Housing

      Item Sandy National avg. Difference
      Home Price $684,761.00$326,622.00109.6%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $3,120.40$2,480.2525.8%
      Apartment Rent $2,155.00$1,444.0049.2%

      Transportation

      Item Sandy National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.11$3.061.8%
      Tire Balancing $75.72$65.2116.1%

      Utilities

      Item Sandy National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $163.76$220.1225.6%
      Phone $199.51$195.711.9%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Copperton, UT8561033.1%
      Magna, UT27,9381066.4%
      Kearns, UT37,4581077.0%
      West Valley City, UT140,9701077.4%
      South Salt Lake, UT25,7581087.5%
      Sandy, UT98,20812626.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Portsmouth, VA98,1941000.2%
      Roswell, GA98,23412828.2%
      Riverview, FL98,34111010.3%
      Hesperia, CA98,41912423.7%
      Brockton, MA98,71412727.4%
      Sandy, UT98,20812626.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.