Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Sparks
N/A
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | N/A | - |
| White | 59.2% | N/A | - |
| Black | 21.6% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 6.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $62,696 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $530,668 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 460 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2417 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Sparks
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Sparks
18.1%
Sparks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Sparks
13.8%
Sparks +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Gainesville +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 9.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 18.1% | Sparks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.8% | Sparks + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 18.7% | Gainesville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.9% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 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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