Arlington vs Sparks
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Sparks
The Verdict
Living in Arlington costs 19.3% less than Sparks. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Arlington, you would need $92,969 in Sparks.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $92,969 in Sparks.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sparks equals $60,504 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Sparks
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 86 is lower Sparks's 162, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $500,000. The $240,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,600 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in Arlington compared to $1,475/mo in Sparks, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Arlington and 103 in Sparks. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Arlington vs $489/month in Sparks. Arlington offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Arlington and 90 in Sparks. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Arlington vs $360 in Sparks. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Arlington and 88 in Sparks. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $60,138 in Arlington and $67,200 in Sparks. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,644 and $56,471 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,403/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,568/month in Sparks. In Arlington, median rent of $1,300/mo fits within this budget. In Sparks, median rent of $1,475/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 76 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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