City Comparison

Sandy vs Sioux Falls

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Sandy

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

Sioux Falls

South Dakota
93
Below Average
$265,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$61,714
Median Income

The Verdict

37.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 37.6%, with Sioux Falls being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Sandy has equivalent purchasing power to $54,492 in Sioux Falls.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
189
Sandy
80
Sioux Falls
Groceries
100
Sandy
97
Sioux Falls
Utilities
88
Sandy
94
Sioux Falls
Transportation
106
Sandy
98
Sioux Falls
Healthcare
95
Sandy
101
Sioux Falls

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Sandy has the same purchasing power as $54,492 in Sioux Falls.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux Falls equals $103,226 in Sandy.

Living in Sandy vs Sioux Falls

Housing Costs

Sandy's housing index of 189 is higher Sioux Falls's 80, translating to median home prices of $630,000 vs $265,000. The $365,000 difference in home prices means roughly $23,724 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,725/mo in Sandy compared to $1,100/mo in Sioux Falls, a monthly difference of $625.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Sandy and 97 in Sioux Falls. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Sandy vs $461/month in Sioux Falls. 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 88 in Sandy and 94 in Sioux Falls. Monthly utility bills average approximately $352 in Sandy vs $376 in Sioux Falls. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 95 in Sandy and 101 in Sioux Falls. 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 $111,200 in Sandy and $61,714 in Sioux Falls. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $86,875 and $66,359 respectively. Sandy residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,595/month to housing in Sandy vs $1,440/month in Sioux Falls. In Sandy, median rent of $1,725/mo fits within this budget. In Sioux Falls, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 109 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sioux Falls is 37.6% more affordable overall with an index of 93 vs 128.
A $75,000 salary in Sandy has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $54,492 in Sioux Falls, based on the cost of living difference.
Sandy's housing index is 189 with median homes at $630,000, while Sioux Falls's is 80 with median homes at $265,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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