Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Sparks, NV
VS
Tucson, AZ
🏆 Tucson leads 13 of 23 categories
Sparks
Nevada
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$82,938 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
104⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
108,025
Tucson
Arizona
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
94.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$52,049
Violent Crime Index
155⚠ High
Population
541,033 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Sparks, NV
Pros
Households earn $30,889 more per year on average
33% less violent crime than Tucson
Cooler summers — July highs near 92°F vs 100°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
Cost of living runs 9% higher than Tucson
Tucson, AZ
Pros
Homes cost $205k less ($218,200 vs $423,500)
Rent averages $535/mo less ($991 vs $1,526)
Milder winters — January highs near 67°F vs 48°F
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Sparks
Living costs sit below the national average (index 94.3)
More college-educated — 29.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Median income trails Sparks by $30,889/yr
Violent crime (588.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3313.1/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Hot summers — July highs average 100°F
Key Differences at a Glance
Sparks
Median Income
$30,889
$82,938 vs $52,049/yr
Sparks
Violent Crime
33% lower
394.4 vs 588.8 per 100k
Tucson
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 94.3 vs 103.2 (100 = US avg)
Tucson
Median Home Value
$205k less
$218,200 vs $423,500
Tucson
Summer Heat
8.1°F warmer
July avg high 100.2°F vs 92.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Sparks, NV | Tucson, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.2⚠ High | 94.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $423,500⚠ High | $218,200 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,526⚠ High | $991 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $82,938 ✓ Higher | $52,049 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.3 min | 22.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.4% | 10.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 111⚠ High ✓ Safer | 156⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 104⚠ High ✓ Safer | 155⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 123⚠ High ✓ Safer | 158⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | B- (95) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.0:1 | 14.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 25.4% | 29.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 85.8% | 86.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Washoe County | Tucson Unified District (4403) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.2°F | 66.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 92.1°F | 100.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.4" ✓ Drier | 12.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 6.8" | 0.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 108,025 | 541,033 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.0 ✓ Older | 33.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.4% ✓ Higher | 50.9% |
| Under 18 | 23.5% ✓ More | 20.2% |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 15.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Sparks's cost of living index is 103.2 vs Tucson's 94.3 (US average = 100).
Tucson is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Tucson leads 13 of 23 categories. Sparks wins 10 and Tucson 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 Sparks to Tucson or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($423,500 vs $218,200 median home), income ($82,938 vs $52,049), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Sparks, NV and Tucson, AZ are about 712 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.