Minneapolis MN 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)
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
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
Minneapolis
426,845
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Minneapolis
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Minneapolis
33.0
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Minneapolis
14.1%
Sparks
N/A
White
Minneapolis
61.6%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Minneapolis
18.3%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Minneapolis
5.2%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Minneapolis
10.5%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Minneapolis
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | N/A | - |
| White | 61.6% | N/A | - |
| Black | 18.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 5.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Minneapolis
$80,269
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Minneapolis
$50,605
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Minneapolis
5.7%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Minneapolis
16.4%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Minneapolis
54.4%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,269 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $50,605 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $62,696 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.4% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Minneapolis
48.0%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $334,719 | $530,668 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.0% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 460 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 2417 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
28.6%
Sparks
28.6%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Sparks
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
19.8%
Sparks
18.7%
Sparks +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 28.6% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.8% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 18.1% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.8% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 18.7% | Sparks + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.9% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Sparks
52.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 52.4°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Minneapolis
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $334,719. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 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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