City Comparison

Nampa vs Sugar Land

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Nampa

Idaho
105
Average
$371,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$74,300
Median Income

Sugar Land

Texas
110
Above Average
$456,000
Median Home
$1,625/mo
Median Rent
$128,400
Median Income

The Verdict

4.5%

Living in Nampa costs 4.5% less than Sugar Land. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Nampa, you would need $78,571 in Sugar Land.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
104
Nampa
128
Sugar Land
Groceries
105
Nampa
99
Sugar Land
Utilities
83
Nampa
96
Sugar Land
Transportation
113
Nampa
101
Sugar Land
Healthcare
102
Nampa
96
Sugar Land

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Nampa has the same purchasing power as $78,571 in Sugar Land.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sugar Land equals $71,591 in Nampa.

Living in Nampa vs Sugar Land

Housing Costs

Nampa's housing index of 104 is lower Sugar Land's 128, translating to median home prices of $371,000 vs $456,000. The $85,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,520 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Nampa compared to $1,625/mo in Sugar Land, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 105 in Nampa and 99 in Sugar Land. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Nampa vs $470/month in Sugar Land. Sugar Land offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 83 in Nampa and 96 in Sugar Land. Monthly utility bills average approximately $332 in Nampa vs $384 in Sugar Land. 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 102 in Nampa and 96 in Sugar Land. 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 $74,300 in Nampa and $128,400 in Sugar Land. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $70,762 and $116,727 respectively. Sugar Land residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,734/month to housing in Nampa vs $2,996/month in Sugar Land. In Nampa, median rent of $1,500/mo fits within this budget. In Sugar Land, median rent of $1,625/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 24 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nampa is 4.5% more affordable overall with an index of 105 vs 110.
A $75,000 salary in Nampa has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $78,571 in Sugar Land, based on the cost of living difference.
Nampa's housing index is 104 with median homes at $371,000, while Sugar Land's is 128 with median homes at $456,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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