Median rent is 8% lower in Sandy ($1,728/mo vs $1,874/mo). Buying is cheaper in Sandy, where the median home runs $562,500 versus $605,700. Households earn more in Alpharetta ($146,581 vs $111,242 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (98.6).
City A
Alpharetta, GA
City B
Sandy, UT
How much would you need to earn in Sandy, UT to maintain your standard of living from Alpharetta, GA?
Equivalent salary in Sandy, UT
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Alpharetta
Georgia
Sandy
Utah
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Sandy at $1,728/mo compared to $1,874/mo in Alpharetta (8% gap). Median home values are within 7% of each other: $605,700 in Alpharetta and $562,500 in Sandy.
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Georgia's top income tax rate is 5.49% versus 4.65% in Utah, so Sandy is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 4.00% in Georgia and 4.85% in Utah; Alpharetta has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Alpharetta
Income tax: 5.49%
Sales tax: 4.00%
Sandy
Income tax: 4.65%
Sales tax: 4.85%
Air quality data is not yet available for these cities.
Pick Alpharetta if you prioritize higher median household income ($146,581/yr).
Pick Sandy if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.65%).
Is Alpharetta cheaper than Sandy?
Alpharetta is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.6 versus 98.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Alpharetta.
How much is rent in Alpharetta vs Sandy?
Median rent is $1,874/mo in Alpharetta, GA and $1,728/mo in Sandy, UT. Sandy, UT has the lower rent by about 8%.
Which has higher salaries — Alpharetta or Sandy?
Median household income is $146,581 in Alpharetta, GA and $111,242 in Sandy, UT. Alpharetta, GA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Alpharetta or Sandy?
Georgia's top income tax rate is 5.49% and Utah's is 4.65%. Sandy, UT has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Sandy to match my Alpharetta income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Alpharetta, GA is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in Sandy, UT (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology