San Jose 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)
San Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
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
San Jose
990,054
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Jose
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
San Jose
38.1
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
San Jose
41.6%
Sparks
N/A
White
San Jose
29.0%
Sparks
N/A
Black
San Jose
2.9%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
San Jose
38.6%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
San Jose
30.9%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
San Jose
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 990,054 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 41.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 29.0% | N/A | - |
| Black | 2.9% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 38.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 30.9% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Jose
$141,565
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
San Jose
$63,253
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Jose
$77,230
San Jose +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
San Jose
4.7%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
San Jose
7.8%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
San Jose
46.5%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $141,565 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $63,253 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,696 | San Jose + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 7.8% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Jose
$1,452,609
Sparks
$530,668
Sparks +
Homeownership Rate
San Jose
56.0%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,452,609 | $530,668 | Sparks + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.0% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Jose
503
Sparks
460
Sparks +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Jose
2388
San Jose +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 460 | Sparks + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2417 | San Jose + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Sparks
28.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Jose
11.1%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Jose
9.1%
San Jose +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.7% | 28.6% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 18.1% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 13.8% | San Jose + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 18.7% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.9% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Jose
61.5°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Jose
14.9 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.5°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.9 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Jose
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Jose, 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
San Jose
30.4 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 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, Sparks is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Jose. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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