Mesa AZ 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)
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
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
Mesa
507,478
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Sparks
N/A
White
Mesa
69.7%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | N/A | - |
| White | 69.7% | N/A | - |
| Black | 4.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.5% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Sparks
$62,696
Sparks +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $62,696 | Sparks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $530,668 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 460 | Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2417 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Mesa +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 18.1% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.8% | Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.7% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.9% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 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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