Roanoke VA 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)
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
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
Roanoke
98,677
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roanoke
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Roanoke
38.0
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Roanoke
7.5%
Sparks
N/A
White
Roanoke
57.5%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Roanoke
29.0%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Roanoke
3.1%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Roanoke
8.6%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Roanoke
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 7.5% | N/A | - |
| White | 57.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 29.0% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.1% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roanoke
$52,671
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Roanoke
$34,792
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Roanoke
5.5%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Roanoke
19.7%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Roanoke
28.9%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,671 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $34,792 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $62,696 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Roanoke
51.7%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,668 | $530,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 460 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2417 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
41.9%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.9%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roanoke
18.4%
Sparks
18.1%
Sparks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
16.7%
Sparks
12.9%
Sparks +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.1% | Sparks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 13.8% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 18.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.9% | Sparks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
56.0°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
44.5 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.5 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roanoke
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | 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
Roanoke
21.6 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 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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