Bend OR 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)
Bend, OR
Oregon · Population: 97,502
- Median HH Income$94,279
- Median Home Price$735,193
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+49.3%
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
Bend
97,502
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Sparks
N/A
White
Bend
65.5%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Bend
2.8%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 65.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 2.8% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 11.4% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Bend +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $62,696 | Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Sparks
$530,668
Sparks +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $530,668 | Sparks + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bend +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Sparks
2417
Sparks +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 460 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2417 | Sparks + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Sparks
28.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Sparks
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Bend +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 28.6% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 9.8% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.1% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 13.8% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 18.7% | Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 12.9% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Sparks
52.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 52.4°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Sparks +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sparks + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 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, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Sparks. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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