City Comparison

Lexington vs Sandy

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Lexington

Kentucky
93
Below Average
$245,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$55,648
Median Income

Sandy

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

The Verdict

27.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 27.3%, with Lexington being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Lexington has equivalent purchasing power to $103,226 in Sandy.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Lexington
189
Sandy
Groceries
96
Lexington
100
Sandy
Utilities
91
Lexington
88
Sandy
Transportation
98
Lexington
106
Sandy
Healthcare
94
Lexington
95
Sandy

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Lexington has the same purchasing power as $103,226 in Sandy.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sandy equals $54,492 in Lexington.

Living in Lexington vs Sandy

Housing Costs

Lexington's housing index of 82 is lower Sandy's 189, translating to median home prices of $245,000 vs $630,000. The $385,000 difference in home prices means roughly $25,020 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Lexington compared to $1,725/mo in Sandy, a monthly difference of $525.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Lexington and 100 in Sandy. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Lexington 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 91 in Lexington and 88 in Sandy. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Lexington vs $352 in Sandy. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 94 in Lexington 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 $55,648 in Lexington and $111,200 in Sandy. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,837 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 $1,298/month to housing in Lexington vs $2,595/month in Sandy. In Lexington, median rent of $1,200/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 107 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lexington is 27.3% more affordable overall with an index of 93 vs 128.
A $75,000 salary in Lexington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $103,226 in Sandy, based on the cost of living difference.
Lexington's housing index is 82 with median homes at $245,000, while Sandy's is 189 with median homes at $630,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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