City Comparison

Pueblo vs Sparks

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Pueblo

Colorado
90
Below Average
$247,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$56,700
Median Income

Sparks

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

The Verdict

24.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 24.4%, with Pueblo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Pueblo has equivalent purchasing power to $99,167 in Sparks.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
81
Pueblo
162
Sparks
Groceries
99
Pueblo
103
Sparks
Utilities
96
Pueblo
90
Sparks
Transportation
99
Pueblo
122
Sparks
Healthcare
102
Pueblo
88
Sparks

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Pueblo has the same purchasing power as $99,167 in Sparks.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sparks equals $56,723 in Pueblo.

Living in Pueblo vs Sparks

Housing Costs

Pueblo's housing index of 81 is lower Sparks's 162, translating to median home prices of $247,000 vs $500,000. The $253,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,440 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Pueblo compared to $1,475/mo in Sparks, a monthly difference of $400.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Pueblo and 103 in Sparks. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Pueblo 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 96 in Pueblo and 90 in Sparks. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Pueblo vs $360 in Sparks. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Pueblo and 88 in Sparks. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $56,700 in Pueblo and $67,200 in Sparks. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,000 and $56,471 respectively. Pueblo residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,323/month to housing in Pueblo vs $1,568/month in Sparks. In Pueblo, median rent of $1,075/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 81 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pueblo is 24.4% more affordable overall with an index of 90 vs 119.
A $75,000 salary in Pueblo has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $99,167 in Sparks, based on the cost of living difference.
Pueblo's housing index is 81 with median homes at $247,000, while Sparks's is 162 with median homes at $500,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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