Los Angeles 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)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Sparks
N/A
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | N/A | - |
| White | 37.3% | N/A | - |
| Black | 8.5% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 12.0% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,696 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
Sparks
$530,668
Sparks +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $530,668 | Sparks + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
Sparks
460
Sparks +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
Los Angeles +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 460 | Sparks + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2417 | Los Angeles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Sparks
28.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
Los Angeles +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Los Angeles +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 28.6% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 18.1% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.8% | Los Angeles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 18.7% | Los Angeles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.9% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Los Angeles, 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
Los Angeles
33.8 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 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 Los Angeles. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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