Rochester NY 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)
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
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
Rochester
209,720
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
Sparks
N/A
White
Rochester
41.5%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | N/A | - |
| White | 41.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 37.5% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $62,696 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $530,668 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 460 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2417 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
38.0%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
Sparks
18.1%
Sparks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
Sparks
12.9%
Sparks +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.1% | Sparks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 13.8% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.7% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 12.9% | Sparks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Sparks
52.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | 52.4°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
20.6 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 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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