Duluth vs Sparks
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Duluth
Sparks
The Verdict
Duluth is 28.6% less expensive than Sparks overall. A household earning $75,000 in Duluth would need approximately $105,000 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 Duluth has the same purchasing power as $105,000 in Sparks.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sparks equals $53,571 in Duluth.
Living in Duluth vs Sparks
Housing Costs
Duluth's housing index of 88 is lower Sparks's 162, translating to median home prices of $268,000 vs $500,000. The $232,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,084 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Duluth compared to $1,475/mo in Sparks, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Duluth and 103 in Sparks. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Duluth vs $489/month in Sparks. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Duluth and 90 in Sparks. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Duluth vs $360 in Sparks. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 123 in Duluth and 88 in Sparks. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 35-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $68,800 in Duluth and $67,200 in Sparks. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $80,941 and $56,471 respectively. Duluth residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,605/month to housing in Duluth vs $1,568/month in Sparks. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/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 74 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases