Dayton vs Sandy
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dayton
Sandy
The Verdict
Dayton is 37.5% less expensive than Sandy overall. A household earning $75,000 in Dayton would need approximately $120,000 in Sandy to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Dayton has the same purchasing power as $120,000 in Sandy.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sandy equals $46,875 in Dayton.
Living in Dayton vs Sandy
Housing Costs
Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Sandy's 189, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $630,000. The $495,000 difference in home prices means roughly $32,172 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,725/mo in Sandy, a monthly difference of $825.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 100 in Sandy. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton vs $475/month in Sandy. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 109 in Dayton and 88 in Sandy. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $352 in Sandy. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 114 in Dayton and 95 in Sandy. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $43,500 in Dayton and $111,200 in Sandy. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $86,875 respectively. Sandy residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,015/month to housing in Dayton vs $2,595/month in Sandy. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Sandy, median rent of $1,725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 143 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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