Duluth MN 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)

Duluth, MN

Minnesota · Population: N/A

  • Median HH IncomeN/A
  • Median Home Price$292,800
  • UnemploymentN/A
  • Bachelor's+N/A

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
Duluth
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Duluth
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Duluth
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Duluth
N/A
Sparks
N/A
White
Duluth
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Black
Duluth
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Duluth
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Duluth
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Duluth
N/A
Sparks
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Duluth
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Duluth
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Duluth
$69,467
Duluth +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Duluth
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Duluth
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Duluth
N/A
Sparks
N/A

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Duluth
$292,800
Duluth +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Duluth
N/A
Sparks
N/A

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Duluth
284
Duluth +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Duluth
1992
Duluth +
Sparks
2417

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Duluth
35.1%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Duluth
10.0%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Duluth
17.7%
Duluth +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Duluth
7.3%
Duluth +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Duluth
20.1%
Sparks
18.7%
Sparks +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Duluth
15.1%
Sparks
12.9%
Sparks +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Duluth
39.7°F
Duluth +
Sparks
52.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Duluth
31.0 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Duluth
8.1 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Duluth
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Duluth
N/A
Sparks
N/A

Which City is Right for You?

Duluth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $292,800. On public safety, Duluth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 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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About Duluth & Sparks