Reno NV 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)
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
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
Reno
268,959
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Reno
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Reno
37.3
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Reno
16.1%
Sparks
N/A
White
Reno
63.5%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Reno
3.2%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Reno
7.0%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Reno
24.6%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Reno
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Reno, NV | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,959 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 16.1% | N/A | - |
| White | 63.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 3.2% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 7.0% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 24.6% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Reno
$78,448
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Reno
$45,180
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Reno
$62,696
Sparks
$62,696
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Reno
5.0%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Reno
12.5%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Reno
35.7%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Reno, NV | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,448 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $45,180 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $62,696 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.7% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Reno
$570,934
Sparks
$530,668
Sparks +
Homeownership Rate
Reno
49.4%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Reno, NV | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,934 | $530,668 | Sparks + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
460
Sparks
460
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
2417
Sparks
2417
Tie
| Metric | Reno, NV | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 460 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 2417 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Sparks
28.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Sparks
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Reno
18.5%
Sparks
18.1%
Sparks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Reno
13.0%
Reno +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Reno
18.9%
Sparks
18.7%
Sparks +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Reno, NV | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 28.6% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.8% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.1% | Sparks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.8% | Reno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.9% | 18.7% | Sparks + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.9% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
53.0°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
8.3 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Tie
| Metric | Reno, NV | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.3 in | 8.3 in | Tie |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Reno
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Reno, NV | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Reno
22.3 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Reno, NV | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 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 460 in Reno. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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