Sparks NV vs Washington DC — 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
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sparks
N/A
Washington
672,079
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sparks
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Sparks
N/A
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Sparks
N/A
Washington
13.3%
White
Sparks
N/A
Washington
39.1%
Black
Sparks
N/A
Washington
43.3%
Asian
Sparks
N/A
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Sparks
N/A
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Sparks
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Sparks, NV | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 672,079 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.9 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 13.3% | - |
| White | N/A | 39.1% | - |
| Black | N/A | 43.3% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 4.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 11.6% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sparks
N/A
Washington
$106,287
Per Capita Income
Sparks
N/A
Washington
$75,253
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sparks
$62,696
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Sparks
N/A
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Sparks
N/A
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sparks
N/A
Washington
63.6%
| Metric | Sparks, NV | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $106,287 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $75,253 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.5% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 14.5% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 63.6% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sparks
$530,668
Sparks +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Sparks
N/A
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Sparks, NV | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $530,668 | $580,173 | Sparks + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 41.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sparks
460
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sparks
2417
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Sparks, NV | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sparks
28.6%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sparks
9.8%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sparks
18.1%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sparks
13.8%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sparks
18.7%
Sparks +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sparks
12.9%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Sparks, NV | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 24.0% | Sparks + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sparks
52.4°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sparks
8.3 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Sparks, NV | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sparks
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sparks, NV | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sparks
N/A
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Sparks, NV | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 32.8 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Sparks offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $530,668. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Sparks. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Sparks, NVLos Angeles, CA vs Sparks, NVChicago, IL vs Sparks, NVHouston, TX vs Sparks, NVPhoenix, AZ vs Sparks, NVPhiladelphia, PA vs Sparks, NV