Glendale 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)
Glendale, CA
California · Population: 192,270
- Median HH Income$84,262
- Median Home Price$1,205,826
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.5%
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
192,270
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
41.4
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Glendale
51.0%
Sparks
N/A
White
Glendale
67.4%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Glendale
1.7%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Glendale
13.3%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Glendale
18.5%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,270 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.4 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 51.0% | N/A | - |
| White | 67.4% | N/A | - |
| Black | 1.7% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 13.3% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 18.5% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$84,262
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$46,597
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$77,230
Glendale +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
8.2%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Glendale
13.4%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
45.5%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,262 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $46,597 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,696 | Glendale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 13.4% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$1,205,826
Sparks
$530,668
Sparks +
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
35.3%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,205,826 | $530,668 | Sparks + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.3% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
503
Sparks
460
Sparks +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2388
Glendale +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 460 | Sparks + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2417 | Glendale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
24.5%
Glendale +
Sparks
28.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
10.9%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.4%
Glendale +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
6.8%
Glendale +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.6%
Glendale +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.5%
Glendale +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.5% | 28.6% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.1% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 13.8% | Glendale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.7% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.9% | Glendale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
64.1°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
17.3 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Glendale, 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
Glendale
30.2 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 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 Glendale. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.5%.
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