Missoula vs Sandy
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Missoula
Sandy
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 10.2%, with Missoula being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Missoula has equivalent purchasing power to $83,478 in Sandy.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Missoula has the same purchasing power as $83,478 in Sandy.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sandy equals $67,383 in Missoula.
Living in Missoula vs Sandy
Housing Costs
Missoula's housing index of 141 is lower Sandy's 189, translating to median home prices of $460,000 vs $630,000. The $170,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,052 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Missoula compared to $1,725/mo in Sandy, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 103 in Missoula and 100 in Sandy. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Missoula 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 89 in Missoula and 88 in Sandy. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Missoula vs $352 in Sandy. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Missoula 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 $49,234 in Missoula and $111,200 in Sandy. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $42,812 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 $1,149/month to housing in Missoula vs $2,595/month in Sandy. In Missoula, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 48 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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