Gulfport vs Sparks
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Gulfport
Sparks
The Verdict
Living in Gulfport costs 30.3% less than Sparks. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Gulfport, you would need $107,530 in Sparks.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Gulfport has the same purchasing power as $107,530 in Sparks.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sparks equals $52,311 in Gulfport.
Living in Gulfport vs Sparks
Housing Costs
Gulfport's housing index of 55 is lower Sparks's 162, translating to median home prices of $185,000 vs $500,000. The $315,000 difference in home prices means roughly $20,472 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Gulfport compared to $1,475/mo in Sparks, a monthly difference of $475.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 95 in Gulfport and 103 in Sparks. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Gulfport vs $489/month in Sparks. Gulfport offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Gulfport and 90 in Sparks. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Gulfport vs $360 in Sparks. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 98 in Gulfport and 88 in Sparks. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $48,000 in Gulfport and $67,200 in Sparks. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,831 and $56,471 respectively. Gulfport residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,120/month to housing in Gulfport vs $1,568/month in Sparks. In Gulfport, median rent of $1,000/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 107 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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