Arvada CO 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)
Arvada, CO
Colorado · Population: 122,835
- Median HH Income$113,396
- Median Home Price$617,536
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+50.0%
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
Arvada
122,835
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arvada
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Arvada
40.2
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Arvada
5.2%
Sparks
N/A
White
Arvada
82.8%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Arvada
1.0%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Arvada
2.6%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Arvada
15.4%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Arvada
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | N/A | - |
| White | 82.8% | N/A | - |
| Black | 1.0% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arvada
$113,396
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Arvada
$56,655
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arvada
$76,653
Arvada +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Arvada
3.9%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Arvada
6.0%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Arvada
50.0%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,396 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $56,655 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $62,696 | Arvada + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arvada
$617,536
Sparks
$530,668
Sparks +
Homeownership Rate
Arvada
74.9%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $617,536 | $530,668 | Sparks + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
512
Sparks
460
Sparks +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
3234
Sparks
2417
Sparks +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 460 | Sparks + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2417 | Sparks + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
23.4%
Arvada +
Sparks
28.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.3%
Arvada +
Sparks
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arvada
15.1%
Arvada +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.4%
Arvada +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arvada
19.9%
Sparks
18.7%
Sparks +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arvada
10.3%
Arvada +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 28.6% | Arvada + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 9.8% | Arvada + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 18.1% | Arvada + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 13.8% | Arvada + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 18.7% | Sparks + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.9% | Arvada + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Sparks
52.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Sparks
8.3 in
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 8.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arvada
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arvada
28.6 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Sparks offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $530,668. On public safety, Sparks is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Arvada. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arvada scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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