Jacksonville 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)
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
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
Jacksonville
961,739
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jacksonville
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Jacksonville
36.4
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Jacksonville
12.2%
Sparks
N/A
White
Jacksonville
51.2%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Jacksonville
30.1%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Jacksonville
4.9%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Jacksonville
12.0%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Jacksonville
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | N/A | - |
| White | 51.2% | N/A | - |
| Black | 30.1% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 4.9% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 12.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jacksonville
$66,981
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Jacksonville
$37,269
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Jacksonville
4.6%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Jacksonville
15.0%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Jacksonville
31.9%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,981 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $37,269 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $62,696 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.9% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Jacksonville
57.4%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,396 | $530,668 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.4% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 460 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2417 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
34.8%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.2%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jacksonville
18.8%
Sparks
18.1%
Sparks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.9%
Sparks
13.8%
Sparks +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
14.8%
Sparks
12.9%
Sparks +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.1% | Sparks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.8% | Sparks + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 18.7% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 12.9% | Sparks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.2°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jacksonville
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jacksonville, 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
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Jacksonville 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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