Fremont CA 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)
Fremont, CA
California · Population: 228,518
- Median HH Income$176,350
- Median Home Price$1,538,830
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+62.7%
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
Fremont
228,518
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fremont
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Fremont
38.8
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Fremont
50.1%
Sparks
N/A
White
Fremont
19.4%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Fremont
2.9%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Fremont
62.5%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Fremont
12.9%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Fremont
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 228,518 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.8 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 50.1% | N/A | - |
| White | 19.4% | N/A | - |
| Black | 2.9% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 62.5% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fremont
$176,350
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Fremont
$73,378
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fremont
$77,230
Fremont +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Fremont
4.3%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Fremont
5.1%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Fremont
62.7%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $176,350 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $73,378 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,696 | Fremont + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 62.7% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fremont
$1,538,830
Sparks
$530,668
Sparks +
Homeownership Rate
Fremont
60.2%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,538,830 | $530,668 | Sparks + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fremont
503
Sparks
460
Sparks +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fremont
2388
Fremont +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 460 | Sparks + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2417 | Fremont + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fremont
17.3%
Fremont +
Sparks
28.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fremont
9.8%
Sparks
9.8%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fremont
12.7%
Fremont +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fremont
4.9%
Fremont +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fremont
13.9%
Fremont +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fremont
7.3%
Fremont +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 28.6% | Fremont + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 9.8% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.7% | 18.1% | Fremont + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.9% | 13.8% | Fremont + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 18.7% | Fremont + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 12.9% | Fremont + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fremont
59.6°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fremont
16.7 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.6°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fremont
7.9 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fremont
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fremont
33.9 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.9 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, Sparks is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fremont. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fremont scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.3%.
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