Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fresno, CA
VS
Sparks, NV
🏆 Sparks leads 13 of 22 categories
Fresno
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$63,001
Violent Crime Index
194⚠ High
Population
541,528 ✓ Larger
Sparks
Nevada
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
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.
Fresno, CA
Pros
Homes cost $102k less ($321,800 vs $423,500)
Rent averages $299/mo less ($1,227 vs $1,526)
Milder winters — January highs near 55°F vs 48°F
Cons
Violent crime (735.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Sparks by $19,937/yr
Property crime (3271.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (9.0% vs 6.1%)
Sparks, NV
Pros
46% less violent crime than Fresno
Households earn $19,937 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.9 pts lower (6.1%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 92°F vs 98°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $423,500
Higher rents — median is $1,526/mo
Property crime (2583.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Fresno
Median Home Value
$102k less
$321,800 vs $423,500
Fresno
Summer Heat
5.6°F warmer
July avg high 97.7°F vs 92.1°F
Sparks
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 103.2 vs 105.0 (100 = US avg)
Sparks
Median Income
$19,937
$82,938 vs $63,001/yr
Sparks
Violent Crime
46% lower
394.4 vs 735.5 per 100k
Sparks
Unemployment
2.9 pp lower
6.1% vs 9.0% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Sparks, NV |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High | 103.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $321,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $423,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,227 ✓ Lower | $1,526⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,001 | $82,938 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0%⚠ High | 6.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.3 min ✓ Shorter | 23.3 min |
| Work From Home % | 8.8% ✓ Higher | 7.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 178⚠ High | 111⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 194⚠ High | 104⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 156⚠ High | 123⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | C+ (88) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.3:1 | 19.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.4% | 25.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 79.7% | 85.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fresno Unified | Washoe County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.4°F ✓ Warmer | 48.2°F |
| Avg High — July | 97.7°F ✓ Warmer | 92.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.4" | 8.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 6.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 541,528 ✓ Larger | 108,025 |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 37.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 59.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 27.8% ✓ More | 23.5% |
| Over 65 | 11.9% | 15.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fresno's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Sparks's 103.2 (US average = 100).
Sparks is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Sparks leads 13 of 22 categories. Fresno wins 9 and Sparks wins 13. 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 Fresno to Sparks or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($321,800 vs $423,500 median home), income ($63,001 vs $82,938), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fresno, CA and Sparks, NV are about 193 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.