Atlanta GA 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Sparks
N/A
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 39.9% | N/A | - |
| Black | 46.9% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 5.0% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Sparks
$62,696
Sparks +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $62,696 | Sparks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $530,668 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 460 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2417 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.1% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 13.8% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 18.7% | Atlanta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.9% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Sparks
52.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Sparks +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sparks + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 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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