Skyline of Sandy
Cost of Living: 110 96,000

Sandy, UT, US

Salt Lake suburb with the Rio Tinto Stadium and excellent ski access.

Updated September 12, 2026

Overview

Sandy is a city in UT with a population of 96,000. Salt Lake suburb with the Rio Tinto Stadium and excellent ski access. Housing costs are close to the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 5a growing zone supports Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees. A large share of residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Last updated: September 12, 2026

Cost of Living 110

Above Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 120

Above Average

Median Income $78,000

Household income

Unemployment 2.5%

Job market health

Sandy vs US Average

Cost of Living
Sandy: 110
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Sandy: 120
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Sandy: 4.95%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 5.0%
  • Sales Tax: 6.1%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $78,000
  • Unemployment: 2.5%
  • Population: 96,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 222/year
  • Summer High: 90°F
  • Winter Low: 24°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5a

Housing

  • Median Home: $500,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1500/mo

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Cost of Living

Sandy's cost of living index is 110 (US average = 100).

CategorySandyNational AverageDifference
Overall110100+10.0%
Housing120100+20.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$500,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1500/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,875/mo
Price per Sq Ft$333

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Sandy:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$90Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$60Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)$8Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$50Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$70Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$25Private service
Total Utilities$303Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Sandy scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
110
Rent
$1500
Sunny Days
222
Tax
4.95%
Unemployment
2.5%
Climate
90°F / 24°F
Safety
5.8 homicides/100k
Population
96,000
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Sandy has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January44°F24°F2.5"
April75°F39°F2.8"
July90°F65°F1.5"
October70°F42°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5a

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Sandy faces the following natural hazards:

Drought Extreme Risk

Arid state with extreme drought conditions.

Wildfire High Risk

Frequent wildfire seasons.

Blizzard High Risk

Severe winter storms in mountains.

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Landslide High Risk

Mountainous region with landslides.

Avalanche High Risk

Wasatch Range with frequent avalanches.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Wasatch Fault zone with earthquake risk.

Flood Moderate Risk

Flash floods.

Sandstorm Moderate Risk

Dust storms in desert regions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 4.95%
  • Sales Tax: 6.1%
  • Property Tax: ~0.58% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 2.5%.

Schools & Education

86/100
School Quality Score
Better than 84% of US cities
?
34
Total Schools
5.1:1
Student:Teacher
83.3%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Demographics

The population of Sandy is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Asian
3.5%
Black or African American
0.6%
Hispanic or Latino
11.3%
Native American
0.4%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
0.6%
Other
0.8%
Two or more races
4.2%
White
78.6%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
45.7%
High school graduate
18.8%
Less than high school
4.3%
Some college
31.2%

Religion

Christian (LDS)
55.0%
Christian (Other)
10.0%
Other
7.0%
Unaffiliated
28.0%

Data source: US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) (2023)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Sandy, UT, US?

The cost of living index in Sandy is 110, which is Higher the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Sandy?

The median home price in Sandy is $500,000. The housing index is 120.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Sandy is approximately $1500/mo.

Does Sandy, UT have income tax?

Sandy is in UT, which has an income tax rate of 4.95%.

What is the climate like in Sandy?

Sandy enjoys approximately 222 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 90°F, while winter lows can drop to around 24°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.