Provo vs Sparks
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Provo
Sparks
The Verdict
Provo is 12.6% less expensive than Sparks overall. A household earning $75,000 in Provo would need approximately $85,817 in Sparks to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Provo has the same purchasing power as $85,817 in Sparks.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sparks equals $65,546 in Provo.
Living in Provo vs Sparks
Housing Costs
Provo's housing index of 112 is lower Sparks's 162, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $500,000. The $120,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,800 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in Provo compared to $1,475/mo in Sparks, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Provo and 103 in Sparks. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Provo vs $489/month in Sparks. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 87 in Provo and 90 in Sparks. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Provo vs $360 in Sparks. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Provo and 88 in Sparks. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $51,048 in Provo and $67,200 in Sparks. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,085 and $56,471 respectively. Sparks residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,191/month to housing in Provo vs $1,568/month in Sparks. In Provo, median rent of $1,300/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 50 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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