Sparks NV vs Wilmington NC — 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
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sparks
N/A
Wilmington
250,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sparks
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Sparks
N/A
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Sparks
N/A
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Sparks
N/A
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Sparks
N/A
Wilmington
32.4%
Asian
Sparks
N/A
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Sparks
N/A
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Sparks
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Sparks, NV | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 250,887 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.6 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 10.7% | - |
| White | N/A | 48.7% | - |
| Black | N/A | 32.4% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.3% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 17.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sparks
N/A
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Sparks
N/A
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sparks
$62,696
Sparks +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Sparks
N/A
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Sparks
N/A
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sparks
N/A
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Sparks, NV | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $57,673 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $35,074 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $59,120 | Sparks + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 17.9% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 37.2% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sparks
$530,668
Wilmington
$419,326
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Sparks
N/A
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Sparks, NV | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $530,668 | $419,326 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 54.6% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sparks
460
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sparks
2417
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Sparks, NV | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Wilmington
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Wilmington
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sparks
18.1%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sparks
13.8%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sparks
18.7%
Wilmington
17.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sparks
12.9%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Sparks, NV | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 31.9% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 10.7% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 17.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Sparks, NV | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.4°F | 63.8°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.3 in | 58.4 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sparks
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sparks, NV | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sparks
N/A
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | Sparks, NV | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 23.2 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $419,326. On public safety, Wilmington 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, Sparks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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