Ontario CA 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)
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
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
Ontario
138,723
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ontario
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Ontario
36.9
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Ontario
21.0%
Sparks
N/A
White
Ontario
53.6%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Ontario
1.6%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Ontario
13.1%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Ontario
40.0%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Ontario
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,723 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | N/A | - |
| White | 53.6% | N/A | - |
| Black | 1.6% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 13.1% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 40.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ontario
$116,945
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Ontario
$50,759
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Ontario
4.7%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Ontario
9.2%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Ontario
40.1%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $116,945 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $50,759 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,696 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 9.2% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ontario
$671,948
Sparks
$530,668
Sparks +
Homeownership Rate
Ontario
58.1%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $671,948 | $530,668 | Sparks + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
503
Sparks
460
Sparks +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
2388
Ontario +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 460 | Sparks + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2417 | Ontario + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
33.6%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ontario
17.8%
Ontario +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ontario
17.0%
Sparks
13.8%
Sparks +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ontario
15.7%
Ontario +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.1% | Ontario + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 13.8% | Sparks + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 18.7% | Ontario + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.9% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
65.5°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
15.0 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.5°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.0 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ontario
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ontario
28.2 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Sparks offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $530,668. On public safety, Sparks is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Ontario. 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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