Montgomery AL 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)
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Montgomery
198,440
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Sparks
N/A
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | N/A | - |
| White | 27.7% | N/A | - |
| Black | 63.0% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.3% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Sparks
$62,696
Sparks +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $62,696 | Sparks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $530,668 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 460 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2417 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Sparks
12.9%
Sparks +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.1% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 13.8% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 18.7% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.9% | Sparks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Montgomery is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 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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