Raleigh NC 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)
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
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
Raleigh
470,763
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Raleigh
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Raleigh
34.7
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Raleigh
13.6%
Sparks
N/A
White
Raleigh
53.8%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Raleigh
27.5%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Raleigh
4.7%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Raleigh
12.7%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Raleigh
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 53.8% | N/A | - |
| Black | 27.5% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 4.7% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Raleigh
$82,424
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Raleigh
$49,948
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Raleigh
$59,120
Sparks
$62,696
Sparks +
Unemployment Rate
Raleigh
4.5%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Raleigh
11.4%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Raleigh
52.9%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $82,424 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $49,948 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $62,696 | Sparks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 11.4% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 52.9% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Raleigh
51.2%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,807 | $530,668 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.2% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 460 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2417 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
30.9%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Sparks
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 9.8% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 18.1% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 13.8% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 18.7% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.9% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
61.1°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
46.2 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.1°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Raleigh
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Raleigh
25.1 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Raleigh, NCLos Angeles, CA vs Raleigh, NCChicago, IL vs Raleigh, NCHouston, TX vs Raleigh, NCPhoenix, AZ vs Raleigh, NCPhiladelphia, PA vs Raleigh, NC