Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Abilene, TX
VS
Sparks, NV
🏆 Abilene leads 15 of 23 categories
Abilene
Texas
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,254
Violent Crime Index
112⚠ High
Population
126,356 ✓ Larger
Sparks
Nevada
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$82,938 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
104⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
108,025
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Abilene, TX
Pros
Homes cost $262k less ($161,800 vs $423,500)
Rent averages $466/mo less ($1,060 vs $1,526)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.3 pts lower (2.8%)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Sparks
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.8)
Cons
Median income trails Sparks by $23,684/yr
Sparks, NV
Pros
Households earn $23,684 more per year on average
7% less violent crime than Abilene
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $423,500
Higher rents — median is $1,526/mo
Cost of living runs 13% higher than Abilene
Property crime (2583.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Abilene
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 89.8 vs 103.2 (100 = US avg)
Abilene
Median Home Value
$262k less
$161,800 vs $423,500
Abilene
Unemployment
3.3 pp lower
2.8% vs 6.1% unemployment
Abilene
Summer Heat
4.3°F warmer
July avg high 96.4°F vs 92.1°F
Sparks
Median Income
$23,684
$82,938 vs $59,254/yr
Sparks
Violent Crime
7% lower
394.4 vs 424.5 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Sparks, NV |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.8 ✓ Cheaper | 103.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $161,800 ✓ Lower | $423,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,060 ✓ Lower | $1,526⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,254 | $82,938 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% ✓ Lower | 6.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.2 min ✓ Shorter | 23.3 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.1% | 7.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 101⚠ High ✓ Safer | 111⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 112⚠ High | 104⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 ✓ Safer | 123⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (92) ✓ Better | C+ (88) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 19.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.4% ✓ Higher | 25.4% |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% ✓ Higher | 85.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ABILENE ISD | Washoe County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.8°F ✓ Warmer | 48.2°F |
| Avg High — July | 96.4°F ✓ Warmer | 92.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.4" | 8.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 3.7" ✓ Less | 6.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 126,356 ✓ Larger | 108,025 |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 37.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.0% | 59.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.1% | 23.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 15.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Abilene's cost of living index is 89.8 vs Sparks's 103.2 (US average = 100).
Abilene is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Abilene leads 15 of 23 categories. Abilene wins 15 and Sparks wins 8. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Abilene to Sparks or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($161,800 vs $423,500 median home), income ($59,254 vs $82,938), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Abilene, TX and Sparks, NV are about 1,217 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.