Sandy vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Sandy
Surprise
The Verdict
Surprise is 24.3% less expensive than Sandy overall. A household earning $75,000 in Sandy would need approximately $60,352 in Surprise to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Sandy has the same purchasing power as $60,352 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $93,204 in Sandy.
Living in Sandy vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Sandy's housing index of 189 is higher Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $630,000 vs $419,000. The $211,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,716 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,725/mo in Sandy compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Sandy and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Sandy vs $475/month in Surprise. 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 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $352 in Sandy vs $408 in Surprise. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 95 in Sandy and 97 in Surprise. 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 $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $86,875 and $83,010 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 $1,995/month in Surprise. In Sandy, median rent of $1,725/mo fits within this budget. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 84 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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