Salt Lake City UT 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)
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
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
Salt Lake City
203,888
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salt Lake City
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Salt Lake City
33.0
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Sparks
N/A
White
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Salt Lake City
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 203,888 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 15.4% | N/A | - |
| White | 70.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 2.7% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 5.3% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 20.8% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Sparks
$62,696
Sparks +
Unemployment Rate
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,925 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $49,642 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $62,696 | Sparks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 13.4% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.9% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Sparks
$530,668
Sparks +
Homeownership Rate
Salt Lake City
46.8%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,126 | $530,668 | Sparks + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 460 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 2417 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Sparks
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Sparks
18.1%
Sparks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.5% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 9.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 18.1% | Sparks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 13.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 18.7% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 12.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.3 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, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Salt Lake City, UTLos Angeles, CA vs Salt Lake City, UTChicago, IL vs Salt Lake City, UTHouston, TX vs Salt Lake City, UTPhoenix, AZ vs Salt Lake City, UTPhiladelphia, PA vs Salt Lake City, UT