Roanoke vs Sparks
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Roanoke
Sparks
The Verdict
Living in Roanoke costs 31.9% less than Sparks. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Roanoke, you would need $110,185 in Sparks.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Roanoke has the same purchasing power as $110,185 in Sparks.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sparks equals $51,050 in Roanoke.
Living in Roanoke vs Sparks
Housing Costs
Roanoke's housing index of 57 is lower Sparks's 162, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $500,000. The $275,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,880 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Roanoke compared to $1,475/mo in Sparks, a monthly difference of $400.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Roanoke and 103 in Sparks. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Roanoke vs $489/month in Sparks. Roanoke offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 116 in Roanoke and 90 in Sparks. Monthly utility bills average approximately $464 in Roanoke vs $360 in Sparks. 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 91 in Roanoke 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 $52,700 in Roanoke and $67,200 in Sparks. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,062 and $56,471 respectively. Roanoke residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,230/month to housing in Roanoke vs $1,568/month in Sparks. In Roanoke, 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 105 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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