Olathe KS 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)
Olathe, KS
Kansas · Population: 143,720
- Median HH Income$112,232
- Median Home Price$437,785
- Unemployment2.8%
- Bachelor's+49.4%
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
Olathe
143,720
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Olathe
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Olathe
36.6
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Olathe
10.7%
Sparks
N/A
White
Olathe
78.6%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Olathe
4.9%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Olathe
4.2%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Olathe
12.6%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Olathe
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Olathe, KS | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,720 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 10.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 78.6% | N/A | - |
| Black | 4.9% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 4.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 12.6% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Olathe
$112,232
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Olathe
$48,655
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Olathe
$61,860
Sparks
$62,696
Sparks +
Unemployment Rate
Olathe
2.8%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Olathe
5.6%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Olathe
49.4%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Olathe, KS | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $112,232 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $48,655 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $62,696 | Sparks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 5.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.4% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Olathe
$437,785
Olathe +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Olathe
73.7%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Olathe, KS | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $437,785 | $530,668 | Olathe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.7% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Olathe
449
Olathe +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Olathe
2174
Olathe +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Olathe, KS | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 460 | Olathe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 2417 | Olathe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Olathe
32.8%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Olathe
9.5%
Olathe +
Sparks
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Olathe
14.4%
Olathe +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Olathe
8.1%
Olathe +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Olathe
17.8%
Olathe +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Olathe
11.3%
Olathe +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Olathe, KS | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.8% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.8% | Olathe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 18.1% | Olathe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 13.8% | Olathe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 18.7% | Olathe + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 12.9% | Olathe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Olathe
55.2°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Olathe
40.0 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Olathe, KS | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.2°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.0 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Olathe
8.2 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Olathe
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Olathe, KS | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Olathe
22.4 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Olathe, KS | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.4 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Olathe offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $437,785. On public safety, Olathe is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 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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