City Comparison

Kent vs Sandy

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Kent

Washington
137
Expensive
$595,000
Median Home
$1,750/mo
Median Rent
$98,300
Median Income

Sandy

Utah
128
Expensive
$630,000
Median Home
$1,725/mo
Median Rent
$111,200
Median Income

The Verdict

7.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 7.0%, with Sandy being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Kent has equivalent purchasing power to $70,073 in Sandy.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
195
Kent
189
Sandy
Groceries
109
Kent
100
Sandy
Utilities
92
Kent
88
Sandy
Transportation
117
Kent
106
Sandy
Healthcare
122
Kent
95
Sandy

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Kent has the same purchasing power as $70,073 in Sandy.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sandy equals $80,273 in Kent.

Living in Kent vs Sandy

Housing Costs

Kent's housing index of 195 is higher Sandy's 189, translating to median home prices of $595,000 vs $630,000. The $35,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,280 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,750/mo in Kent compared to $1,725/mo in Sandy, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 109 in Kent and 100 in Sandy. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $518/month in Kent vs $475/month in Sandy. Sandy offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Kent and 88 in Sandy. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Kent vs $352 in Sandy. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 122 in Kent and 95 in Sandy. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 27-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $98,300 in Kent and $111,200 in Sandy. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,752 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 $2,294/month to housing in Kent vs $2,595/month in Sandy. In Kent, median rent of $1,750/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 Healthcare, where the gap is 27 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sandy is 7.0% more affordable overall with an index of 128 vs 137.
A $75,000 salary in Kent has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $70,073 in Sandy, based on the cost of living difference.
Kent's housing index is 195 with median homes at $595,000, while Sandy's is 189 with median homes at $630,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases