Sparks vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Sparks
Surprise
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 15.5%, with Surprise being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Sparks has equivalent purchasing power to $64,916 in Surprise.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Sparks has the same purchasing power as $64,916 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $86,650 in Sparks.
Living in Sparks vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Sparks's housing index of 162 is higher Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $500,000 vs $419,000. The $81,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,268 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,475/mo in Sparks compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 103 in Sparks and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Sparks vs $475/month in Surprise. 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 90 in Sparks and 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Sparks vs $408 in Surprise. 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 88 in Sparks and 97 in Surprise. 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 $67,200 in Sparks and $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,471 and $83,010 respectively. Surprise residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,568/month to housing in Sparks vs $1,995/month in Surprise. In Sparks, median rent of $1,475/mo fits within this budget. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 57 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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