Moving from Gresham, OR to Sparks, NV
The drive from Gresham, OR to Sparks, NV runs 564 mi β about 11h 44m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
564 mi Β· 11h 44m by car Β· OR β CA β NV
Distance & route
| Route through | OR β CA β NV |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 395, I 5, OR 58 |
| Major cities en route | Vancouver, Portland, Hillsboro, Salem, Eugene |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Gresham | Sparks | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 101.014 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 89.274 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 96.271 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 123.478 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Sparks and Gresham is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Sparks is 4.2% above Gresham ($529,283 vs $471,181 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Gresham -0.5%, Sparks -0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Gresham | Sparks |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 54Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 6.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 8.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Gresham (54.7Β°F) and Sparks (53.5Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Sparks averages 6.8 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PORTLAND TROUTDALE AP, OR US, SPARKS, NV US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Gresham | Sparks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 109,106 |
| Median household income | $73,608 | $86,979 |
| Median age | 37.2 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.2% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.64 |
Income steps up 4.2%: $73,608 in Gresham vs $86,979 in Sparks.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sparks MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 30,990 | $45,200 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 30,330 | $42,130 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 23,210 | $30,270 |
| Management Occupations | 21,700 | $97,370 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,500 | $36,430 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oregon and Nevada
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Nevada's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Sparks average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Sparks sees only 8.4 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Nevada after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Sparks more expensive than Gresham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sparks is 4.2% lower than Gresham (101.014 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Gresham vs Sparks?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $86,979 in Sparks vs $73,608 in Gresham β a 18.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Gresham to Sparks?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 564 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Sparks, NV from Gresham, OR?
The driving distance is 564 mi and the route typically takes 11h 44m via US 395 and I 5. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Sparks compared to Gresham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $529,283 in Sparks vs $471,181 in Gresham β a 12.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Sparks compare to Gresham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,540 in the Sparks MSA vs $55,940 in the Gresham MSA, on total employment of 254,100 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Gresham.
City profiles: Gresham, OR Β· Sparks, NV.