Sphynx vs Cornish Rex: cost, health and care compared
The Sphynx and the Cornish Rex side by side: size, care needs, health issues and what each costs to keep.
Last updated: October 2026 · 8 sources · see sources
Side by side
| Sphynx | Cornish Rex | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 6–14 lb [2] | 6–10 lb [3] |
| Life expectancy | [2] | 11–15+ years [3] |
| Coat | Hairless (some fuzz) [4] | Shorthair [5] |
| Personality | Active, affectionate [4] | Imagine the racy elegance of a greyhound paired with playful personality of a clown – then dress it up in curls! [5] |
| CFA popularity, 2025 | No. 9 [6] | Not in the top list [6] |
| Health issues to know | Ear infections, Allergies and itchy skin, Dental disease, Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy See health costs | Progressive retinal atrophy, Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy See health costs |
| Routine vet visit | $190–$525 (any cat) [7] | $190–$525 (any cat) [7] |
| Yearly cost estimate | $800–$1,300 [1] | $800–$1,300 [1] |
| Rough lifetime cost | — | $8,800–$19,900 |
About the cost numbers
The yearly estimate starts with the ASPCA's yearly cost of care and, at the high end, adds one typical vet bill. [1] The lifetime figure is that yearly range times the life expectancy. It is simple math on sourced numbers, before inflation and before any major illness, not a quote.
For each breed's health risks and what they cost to treat, see Sphynx health problems and costs and Cornish Rex health problems and costs.
Insurance and savings
Breed matters less than timing for insurance. The average accident and illness policy cost $435 a year for a cat in 2025. [8] Conditions found before you enroll are usually excluded, so many owners sign up while their pet is young. Some prefer a savings fund instead; see insurance vs savings.
Common questions
Which costs more, the Sphynx or the Cornish Rex?
Our yearly cost estimate is the same for both: $800–$1,300.
Which lives longer, the Sphynx or the Cornish Rex?
PetMD gives the Sphynx a life expectancy of not listed and the Cornish Rex 11–15+ years. Individual pets vary a lot.
What health problems do the Sphynx and Cornish Rex have?
Sphynx: Ear infections, Allergies and itchy skin, Dental disease and Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Cornish Rex: Progressive retinal atrophy and Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Related
This page is general information for planning, not veterinary advice. Talk to your vet about your own pet.
Sources (8) — tap to show
- ASPCA – Cutting Pet Care Costs (2021 table)
- PetMD – Sphynx cat breed health and care (vet-reviewed)
- PetMD – Cornish Rex cat breed health and care (vet-reviewed)
- CFA – Sphynx breed profile
- CFA – Cornish Rex breed profile
- CFA – Most Popular Breeds for 2025
- VetReceipt – Cat Routine Vet Visit Cost (owner bills, 2026)
- NAPHIA – State of the Industry 2026 report highlights (2025 premiums)