Cost of Living in Sparks, TX

Population 4,936 · Texas · Data vintage 2023

54
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Sparks's median household income of $31,932 is a meaningful share below the national figure, which shapes most of the downstream economic indicators — from housing affordability to the share of residents living below the poverty line (54% here). Rent burden runs high: typical rents of $1,125/month consume roughly 42% of median household income, past the 30% threshold most affordability frameworks flag as strained.

Located 15 miles southeast of El Paso, Sparks falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 41% lower than El Paso's $172,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 33
Rent 86

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Sparks

The median home value in Sparks is $101,800 — 67% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,125/month, 14% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $31,932/year is 57% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 10.2%, above the national average of 4.8%. Texas charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 78.6°F and lows of 53.8°F, with about 2.8" of annual snowfall. Overall, Sparks has a cost of living index of 54 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 46% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$101,800
67% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$133,130
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,125/mo
14% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
7.5x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$766
1 BR
$811
2 BR
$981
3 BR
$1,307
4 BR
$1,509
Owner-occupied 72.3%
Renter-occupied 27.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,125
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,739/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
25.8 min
4% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
3.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
88.7%
Carpooled
4.5%
Work from home
3.9%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 8.2%
State rate 6.3%
Avg local rate 1.9%
Property Tax 1.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$31,932
57% below avg
Per Capita Income
$12,685
Unemployment Rate
10.2%
112% above avg
Poverty Rate
54.1%
Labor Force Participation
60.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 6.3%
Graduate degree 0.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 25.1
Male median age 20.6
Female median age 32

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
78.6°F
Avg Low
53.8°F
Annual Precip
8.8"
Annual Snowfall
2.8"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 596472808997969488796758
Low °F 353946536271737265544234
Precip" 0.390.400.240.170.430.731.581.671.520.590.430.63
Snow" 0.80.20.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.51.3

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 64 — Moderate
18.9%
Good air days/yr
155
Max AQI recorded
206
PM2.5 days
109
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Sparks, TX?

Sparks has a cost index of 54 (100 = national average). It is 46% below the national average.

What is average rent in Sparks, TX?

The median gross rent in Sparks is $1,125 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Sparks?

The median home value in Sparks is $101,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Sparks?

The median household income in Sparks is $31,932 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Sparks, TX?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Sparks is 8.2%. Texas has no state income tax.

Is Sparks, TX affordable?

Yes, Sparks is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 54 — about 46% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Sparks?

Sparks has average high temperatures of 78.6°F and average lows of 53.8°F. Annual precipitation is 8.8". Average annual snowfall is 2.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Sparks at a Glance

Population
4,936
Median Income
$31,932
Home Value
$101,800
Median Rent
$1,125/mo
Unemployment
10.2%
Avg High Temp
78.6°F
Sales Tax
8.2%
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