Little Rock vs Sparks
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Little Rock
Sparks
The Verdict
Living in Little Rock costs 29.4% less than Sparks. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Little Rock, you would need $106,250 in Sparks.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Little Rock has the same purchasing power as $106,250 in Sparks.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sparks equals $52,941 in Little Rock.
Living in Little Rock vs Sparks
Housing Costs
Little Rock's housing index of 62 is lower Sparks's 162, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $500,000. The $330,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,456 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Little Rock compared to $1,475/mo in Sparks, a monthly difference of $525.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 94 in Little Rock and 103 in Sparks. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Little Rock vs $489/month in Sparks. Little Rock offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $504/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 88 in Little Rock and 90 in Sparks. Monthly utility bills average approximately $352 in Little Rock vs $360 in Sparks. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in Little Rock 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 $47,638 in Little Rock and $67,200 in Sparks. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,712 and $56,471 respectively. Little Rock residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,112/month to housing in Little Rock vs $1,568/month in Sparks. In Little Rock, median rent of $950/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 100 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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