Orem UT 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)
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
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
Orem
86,973
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Orem
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Orem
33.3
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Orem
10.5%
Sparks
N/A
White
Orem
77.1%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Orem
1.9%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Orem
1.6%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Orem
30.6%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Orem
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Orem, UT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 86,973 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | N/A | - |
| White | 77.1% | N/A | - |
| Black | 1.9% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Orem
$70,053
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Orem
$33,579
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Orem
$60,713
Sparks
$62,696
Sparks +
Unemployment Rate
Orem
4.0%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Orem
12.7%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Orem
25.6%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Orem, UT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,053 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $62,696 | Sparks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.6% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Orem
$509,396
Orem +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Orem
60.9%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Orem, UT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $509,396 | $530,668 | Orem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.9% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Orem
245
Orem +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Orem
1931
Orem +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Orem, UT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 460 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 2417 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Orem
30.3%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Sparks
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Orem
11.5%
Orem +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Orem, UT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 9.8% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 18.1% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 13.8% | Orem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 18.7% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 12.9% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Orem
52.5°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Orem
13.3 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Orem, UT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.3 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Orem
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Orem, UT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Orem
24.5 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Orem, UT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $509,396. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 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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