Scottsdale AZ 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)
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
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
Scottsdale
242,169
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Scottsdale
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Scottsdale
49.2
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Scottsdale
11.2%
Sparks
N/A
White
Scottsdale
81.8%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Scottsdale
2.0%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Scottsdale
5.1%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Scottsdale
9.4%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Scottsdale
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 242,169 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 49.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | N/A | - |
| White | 81.8% | N/A | - |
| Black | 2.0% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 5.1% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 9.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Scottsdale
$107,372
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Scottsdale
$82,697
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Scottsdale
$59,120
Sparks
$62,696
Sparks +
Unemployment Rate
Scottsdale
3.4%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Scottsdale
7.1%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Scottsdale
61.5%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,372 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $82,697 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $62,696 | Sparks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 61.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Scottsdale
$858,307
Sparks
$530,668
Sparks +
Homeownership Rate
Scottsdale
67.6%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $858,307 | $530,668 | Sparks + |
| Homeownership Rate | 67.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
450
Scottsdale +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 460 | Scottsdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2417 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Sparks
28.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Sparks
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 28.6% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.1% | 18.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 13.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 18.7% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.9% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.5°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.3 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Scottsdale
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 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, Scottsdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Sparks. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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