Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Sparks
N/A
White
Boise
83.6%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Boise
1.4%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | N/A | - |
| White | 83.6% | N/A | - |
| Black | 1.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.4% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Sparks
$62,696
Sparks +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $62,696 | Sparks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $530,668 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 460 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 2417 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Sparks
28.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Sparks
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 28.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.8% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Sparks
52.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 52.4°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $504,894. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Sparks. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³).
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