Garland TX 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)
Garland, TX
Texas · Population: 245,298
- Median HH Income$74,717
- Median Home Price$289,605
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
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
Garland
245,298
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Sparks
N/A
White
Garland
37.5%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Garland
15.3%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | N/A | - |
| White | 37.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 15.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 11.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Garland +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $62,696 | Garland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $530,668 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Garland +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Garland +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Garland, TX | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 460 | Garland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2417 | Garland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Sparks
13.8%
Sparks +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Sparks
12.9%
Sparks +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 18.1% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 13.8% | Sparks + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.7% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.9% | Sparks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Sparks +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sparks + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Garland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,605. On public safety, Garland is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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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