Sacramento CA 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)
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
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
Sacramento
524,802
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sacramento
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Sacramento
35.7
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Sacramento
21.3%
Sparks
N/A
White
Sacramento
36.8%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Sacramento
12.4%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Sacramento
19.7%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Sacramento
29.5%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Sacramento
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | N/A | - |
| White | 36.8% | N/A | - |
| Black | 12.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 19.7% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 29.5% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sacramento
$83,753
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Sacramento
$42,300
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Sacramento
6.2%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Sacramento
14.4%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Sacramento
36.4%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,753 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $42,300 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,696 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sacramento
$480,548
Sacramento +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Sacramento
51.5%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $480,548 | $530,668 | Sacramento + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sacramento
503
Sparks
460
Sparks +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sacramento
2388
Sacramento +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 460 | Sparks + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2417 | Sacramento + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
30.0%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
11.2%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sacramento
17.9%
Sacramento +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 18.1% | Sacramento + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 13.8% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 18.7% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.9% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sacramento
61.0°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.5 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sacramento
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sacramento
27.0 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $480,548. On public safety, Sparks is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Sacramento. 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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