Colorado Springs CO 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)
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
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
Colorado Springs
483,099
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Sparks
N/A
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | N/A | - |
| White | 72.3% | N/A | - |
| Black | 5.8% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.0% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $62,696 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Colorado Springs +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $530,668 | Colorado Springs + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Sparks
460
Sparks +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Sparks
2417
Sparks +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 460 | Sparks + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2417 | Sparks + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Sparks
28.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Sparks
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Colorado Springs +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Colorado Springs +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Colorado Springs +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 28.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 9.8% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.1% | Colorado Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.8% | Colorado Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 18.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 12.9% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Sparks
52.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 52.4°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Colorado Springs offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $451,202. On public safety, Sparks is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Colorado Springs. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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