Saint Paul MN 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)
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
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
Saint Paul
307,762
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Saint Paul
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Saint Paul
33.5
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Saint Paul
18.7%
Sparks
N/A
White
Saint Paul
53.2%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Saint Paul
16.2%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Saint Paul
17.9%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Saint Paul
9.1%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Saint Paul
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 53.2% | N/A | - |
| Black | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 17.9% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Saint Paul
$73,055
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Saint Paul
$41,594
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Saint Paul
4.9%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Saint Paul
15.8%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Saint Paul
43.5%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,055 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $41,594 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $62,696 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Saint Paul
53.2%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,021 | $530,668 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.2% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 460 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 2417 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Sparks
28.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Sparks
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Saint Paul
N/A
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 28.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.8% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
Sparks
52.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
Sparks
8.3 in
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 8.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Saint Paul
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | 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
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Sparks. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³).
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