Gilbert vs Sandy
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Gilbert
Sandy
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 13.3%, with Gilbert being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Gilbert has equivalent purchasing power to $86,486 in Sandy.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Gilbert has the same purchasing power as $86,486 in Sandy.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sandy equals $65,039 in Gilbert.
Living in Gilbert vs Sandy
Housing Costs
Gilbert's housing index of 128 is lower Sandy's 189, translating to median home prices of $470,000 vs $630,000. The $160,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,404 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,700/mo in Gilbert compared to $1,725/mo in Sandy, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Gilbert and 100 in Sandy. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Gilbert 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 96 in Gilbert and 88 in Sandy. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Gilbert vs $352 in Sandy. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 95 in Gilbert and 95 in Sandy. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $94,518 in Gilbert and $111,200 in Sandy. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $85,151 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 $2,205/month to housing in Gilbert vs $2,595/month in Sandy. In Gilbert, median rent of $1,700/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 61 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases