Anchorage AK vs Sparks NV — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Anchorage, AK
Alaska · Population: 289,069
- Median HH Income$98,152
- Median Home Price$414,014
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Sparks
N/A
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | N/A | - |
| White | 58.3% | N/A | - |
| Black | 5.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 9.8% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $62,696 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $530,668 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Sparks
460
Sparks +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 460 | Sparks + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 2417 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Sparks
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Anchorage +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Sparks
12.9%
Sparks +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 9.8% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.1% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 13.8% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 18.7% | Anchorage + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.9% | Sparks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Sparks
52.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 52.4°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Anchorage offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,014. On public safety, Sparks is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sparks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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