Seattle WA 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)
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
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
Seattle
741,440
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Seattle
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Seattle
35.5
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Seattle
19.9%
Sparks
N/A
White
Seattle
61.8%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Seattle
6.6%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Seattle
17.2%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Seattle
8.2%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Seattle
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | N/A | - |
| White | 61.8% | N/A | - |
| Black | 6.6% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 17.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 8.2% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Seattle
$121,984
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Seattle
$82,508
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Seattle
4.2%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Seattle
9.9%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Seattle
67.5%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $121,984 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $82,508 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $62,696 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 67.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Seattle
$871,599
Sparks
$530,668
Sparks +
Homeownership Rate
Seattle
44.3%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $871,599 | $530,668 | Sparks + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Seattle
3409
Sparks
2417
Sparks +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 460 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2417 | Sparks + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Sparks
28.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Sparks
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Seattle
19.0%
Sparks
18.7%
Sparks +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 28.6% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 9.8% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.3% | 18.1% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 13.8% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 18.7% | Sparks + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 12.9% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Seattle
52.6°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Seattle
37.5 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.6°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.5 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Seattle
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Seattle
28.8 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 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, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Sparks. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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