Des Moines vs Sparks
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Des Moines
Sparks
The Verdict
Des Moines is 25.2% less expensive than Sparks overall. A household earning $75,000 in Des Moines would need approximately $100,281 in Sparks 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 Des Moines has the same purchasing power as $100,281 in Sparks.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sparks equals $56,092 in Des Moines.
Living in Des Moines vs Sparks
Housing Costs
Des Moines's housing index of 74 is lower Sparks's 162, translating to median home prices of $210,000 vs $500,000. The $290,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,852 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Des Moines compared to $1,475/mo in Sparks, a monthly difference of $375.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Des Moines and 103 in Sparks. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Des Moines vs $489/month in Sparks. Des Moines offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 93 in Des Moines and 90 in Sparks. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Des Moines vs $360 in Sparks. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Des Moines and 88 in Sparks. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $55,958 in Des Moines and $67,200 in Sparks. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,874 and $56,471 respectively. Des Moines residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,306/month to housing in Des Moines vs $1,568/month in Sparks. In Des Moines, median rent of $1,100/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 88 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases