Indianapolis IN 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)
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
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
Indianapolis
882,043
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Sparks
N/A
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 53.6% | N/A | - |
| Black | 28.1% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 4.1% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Sparks
$62,696
Sparks +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $62,696 | Sparks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $530,668 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 460 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2417 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Sparks
28.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Sparks
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 28.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.8% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Sparks
52.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Sparks +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sparks + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Sparks. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³).
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