Madison WI 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)
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
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
Madison
275,568
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Sparks
N/A
White
Madison
73.0%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Madison
7.1%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 73.0% | N/A | - |
| Black | 7.1% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 8.0% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Sparks
$62,696
Sparks +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $62,696 | Sparks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $530,668 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 460 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 2417 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Sparks
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Sparks
18.7%
Sparks +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.8% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 18.1% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 13.8% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 18.7% | Sparks + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.9% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Sparks
52.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | 52.4°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Sparks +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sparks + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 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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