New Haven CT 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)
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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
New Haven
132,893
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Haven
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
New Haven
31.9
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
New Haven
17.7%
Sparks
N/A
White
New Haven
36.8%
Sparks
N/A
Black
New Haven
30.6%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
New Haven
5.2%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
New Haven
31.2%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
New Haven
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,893 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 17.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 36.8% | N/A | - |
| Black | 30.6% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 5.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 31.2% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Haven
$53,771
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
New Haven
$34,482
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
New Haven
7.7%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
New Haven
25.0%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
New Haven
37.7%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,771 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $34,482 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $62,696 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Haven
$330,564
New Haven +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
New Haven
28.4%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $330,564 | $530,668 | New Haven + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.4% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 460 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2417 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
37.9%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
11.7%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Haven
18.9%
Sparks
18.1%
Sparks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.7%
Sparks
13.8%
Sparks +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Haven
13.2%
Sparks
12.9%
Sparks +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 18.1% | Sparks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 13.8% | Sparks + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 18.7% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.9% | Sparks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
52.2°F
New Haven +
Sparks
52.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
47.1 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.2°F | 52.4°F | New Haven + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.1 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Haven
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Haven
23.0 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
New Haven offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $330,564. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 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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