City Comparison

Killeen vs Sparks

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Killeen

Texas
84
Very Affordable
$235,000
Median Home
$975/mo
Median Rent
$56,400
Median Income

Sparks

Nevada
119
Above Average
$500,000
Median Home
$1,475/mo
Median Rent
$67,200
Median Income

The Verdict

29.4%

Living in Killeen costs 29.4% less than Sparks. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Killeen, you would need $106,250 in Sparks.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
56
Killeen
162
Sparks
Groceries
96
Killeen
103
Sparks
Utilities
108
Killeen
90
Sparks
Transportation
95
Killeen
122
Sparks
Healthcare
96
Killeen
88
Sparks

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Killeen has the same purchasing power as $106,250 in Sparks.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sparks equals $52,941 in Killeen.

Living in Killeen vs Sparks

Housing Costs

Killeen's housing index of 56 is lower Sparks's 162, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $500,000. The $265,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,220 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Killeen compared to $1,475/mo in Sparks, a monthly difference of $500.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Killeen and 103 in Sparks. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Killeen vs $489/month in Sparks. Killeen offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 108 in Killeen and 90 in Sparks. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Killeen vs $360 in Sparks. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 96 in Killeen and 88 in Sparks. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $56,400 in Killeen and $67,200 in Sparks. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,143 and $56,471 respectively. Killeen residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,316/month to housing in Killeen vs $1,568/month in Sparks. In Killeen, median rent of $975/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 106 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Killeen is 29.4% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 119.
A $75,000 salary in Killeen has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $106,250 in Sparks, based on the cost of living difference.
Killeen's housing index is 56 with median homes at $235,000, while Sparks's is 162 with median homes at $500,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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