Gresham vs Sparks
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Gresham
Sparks
The Verdict
Living in Sparks costs 7.6% less than Gresham. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Gresham, you would need $69,727 in Sparks.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Gresham has the same purchasing power as $69,727 in Sparks.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sparks equals $80,672 in Gresham.
Living in Gresham vs Sparks
Housing Costs
Gresham's housing index of 172 is higher Sparks's 162, translating to median home prices of $459,000 vs $500,000. The $41,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,664 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,450/mo in Gresham compared to $1,475/mo in Sparks, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Gresham and 103 in Sparks. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Gresham 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 96 in Gresham and 90 in Sparks. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Gresham vs $360 in Sparks. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 103 in Gresham and 88 in Sparks. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $69,600 in Gresham and $67,200 in Sparks. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 and $56,471 respectively. Sparks residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,624/month to housing in Gresham vs $1,568/month in Sparks. In Gresham, median rent of $1,450/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 Healthcare, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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