Sparks vs Tempe
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Sparks
Tempe
The Verdict
Living in Tempe costs 12.3% less than Sparks. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Sparks, you would need $66,807 in Tempe.
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 $66,807 in Tempe.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tempe equals $84,198 in Sparks.
Living in Sparks vs Tempe
Housing Costs
Sparks's housing index of 162 is higher Tempe's 114, translating to median home prices of $500,000 vs $400,000. The $100,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,504 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,475/mo in Sparks compared to $1,600/mo in Tempe, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 103 in Sparks and 100 in Tempe. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Sparks vs $475/month in Tempe. 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 96 in Tempe. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Sparks vs $384 in Tempe. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Sparks and 95 in Tempe. 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 $67,200 in Sparks and $56,068 in Tempe. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,471 and $52,894 respectively. Sparks residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,568/month to housing in Sparks vs $1,308/month in Tempe. In Sparks, median rent of $1,475/mo fits within this budget. In Tempe, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 48 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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