Cary 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)
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
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
Cary
176,686
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Sparks
N/A
White
Cary
60.1%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Cary
7.6%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 60.1% | N/A | - |
| Black | 7.6% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 20.4% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Sparks
$62,696
Sparks +
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $62,696 | Sparks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Sparks
$530,668
Sparks +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $530,668 | Sparks + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Cary +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Cary +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Cary, NC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 460 | Cary + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2417 | Cary + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Sparks
28.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Sparks
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 28.6% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 9.8% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 18.1% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 13.8% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 18.7% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 12.9% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cary, 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
Cary
24.3 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 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, Cary 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, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
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