Asheville NC 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)
Asheville, NC
North Carolina · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$461,425
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Asheville
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Sparks
N/A
White
Asheville
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Black
Asheville
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | N/A | - |
| White | N/A | N/A | - |
| Black | N/A | N/A | - |
| Asian | N/A | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Sparks
$62,696
Sparks +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $62,696 | Sparks + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Asheville +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $530,668 | Asheville + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Asheville +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Asheville +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 460 | Asheville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2417 | Asheville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.1% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 13.8% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 18.7% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.9% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Asheville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $461,425. On public safety, Asheville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Sparks. 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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