City Comparison

Pearland vs Sparks

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Pearland

Texas
100
Average
$372,000
Median Home
$1,800/mo
Median Rent
$118,800
Median Income

Sparks

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

The Verdict

16.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 16.0%, with Pearland being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Pearland has equivalent purchasing power to $89,250 in Sparks.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
99
Pearland
162
Sparks
Groceries
97
Pearland
103
Sparks
Utilities
100
Pearland
90
Sparks
Transportation
91
Pearland
122
Sparks
Healthcare
105
Pearland
88
Sparks

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Pearland has the same purchasing power as $89,250 in Sparks.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sparks equals $63,025 in Pearland.

Living in Pearland vs Sparks

Housing Costs

Pearland's housing index of 99 is lower Sparks's 162, translating to median home prices of $372,000 vs $500,000. The $128,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,316 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Pearland compared to $1,475/mo in Sparks, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Pearland and 103 in Sparks. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Pearland vs $489/month in Sparks. Pearland offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 100 in Pearland and 90 in Sparks. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Pearland vs $360 in Sparks. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 105 in Pearland and 88 in Sparks. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $118,800 in Pearland and $67,200 in Sparks. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $118,800 and $56,471 respectively. Pearland residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,772/month to housing in Pearland vs $1,568/month in Sparks. In Pearland, median rent of $1,800/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 63 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pearland is 16.0% more affordable overall with an index of 100 vs 119.
A $75,000 salary in Pearland has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $89,250 in Sparks, based on the cost of living difference.
Pearland's housing index is 99 with median homes at $372,000, while Sparks's is 162 with median homes at $500,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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