Sparks NV vs Spokane Valley WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sparks
N/A
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sparks
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Sparks
N/A
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
Sparks
N/A
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Sparks
N/A
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Black
Sparks
N/A
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Sparks
N/A
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Sparks
N/A
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Sparks
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Sparks, NV | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 105,460 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 37.6 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 5.1% | - |
| White | N/A | 85.1% | - |
| Black | N/A | 1.4% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.7% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 7.5% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sparks
N/A
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Per Capita Income
Sparks
N/A
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sparks
$62,696
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Spokane Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Sparks
N/A
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Sparks
N/A
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sparks
N/A
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Sparks, NV | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $70,722 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $35,235 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $76,120 | Spokane Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 12.9% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 24.8% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sparks
$530,668
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Spokane Valley +
Homeownership Rate
Sparks
N/A
Spokane Valley
57.5%
| Metric | Sparks, NV | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $530,668 | $414,734 | Spokane Valley + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 57.5% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sparks
460
Spokane Valley
383
Spokane Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sparks
2417
Sparks +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Sparks, NV | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 383 | Spokane Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 3409 | Sparks + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sparks
18.1%
Spokane Valley
18.1%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sparks
13.8%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sparks
18.7%
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Spokane Valley +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sparks
12.9%
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Sparks, NV | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 35.1% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 10.5% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 18.1% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 17.2% | Spokane Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.4% | Spokane Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sparks
52.4°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sparks
8.3 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Sparks, NV | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sparks
75.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sparks, NV | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sparks
N/A
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
| Metric | Sparks, NV | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 22.4 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane Valley offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,734. On public safety, Spokane Valley 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, Sparks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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