Glendale AZ 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)
Glendale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 271,118
- Median HH Income$121,351
- Median Home Price$408,630
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+47.5%
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
Glendale
271,118
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
35.7
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Glendale
9.6%
Sparks
N/A
White
Glendale
72.7%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Glendale
3.4%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Glendale
6.6%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Glendale
17.5%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 271,118 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 9.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 72.7% | N/A | - |
| Black | 3.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 6.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 17.5% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$121,351
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$49,825
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$59,120
Sparks
$62,696
Sparks +
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
3.3%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Glendale
5.1%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
47.5%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $121,351 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $49,825 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $62,696 | Sparks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$408,630
Glendale +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
73.9%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $408,630 | $530,668 | Glendale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
450
Glendale +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2150
Glendale +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 460 | Glendale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2417 | Glendale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
32.9%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.7%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.7%
Glendale +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
17.6%
Sparks
13.8%
Sparks +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.7%
Glendale +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
13.2%
Sparks
12.9%
Sparks +
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.1% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.8% | Sparks + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 18.7% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.9% | Sparks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Sparks
52.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Sparks
8.3 in
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 8.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.1 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
28.0 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $408,630. On public safety, Glendale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 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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