City Comparison
Caliente vs Sparks
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Caliente scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Caliente
Sparks
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Caliente is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
29% lower than in Sparks.
Housing costs are a major driver: Caliente's average rent is
42% lower than Sparks's.
| Metric | Caliente | Sparks | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,650 | -42% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $140 | $130 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $240 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $1,865 | $2,615 | -29% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 104 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Sparks offers 17% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Sparks delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Caliente is estimated at
$42,000 vs $54,000 in Sparks.
| Metric | Caliente | Sparks |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $63,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $54,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,091 idx | 60,577 idx |
| Household Income | $51,000 | $74,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Caliente runs warmer on average — a 5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Caliente comes out ahead with 19 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Sparks sees 10.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Caliente | Sparks |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 59.20°F | 54.20°F |
| Summer High | 91.40°F | 88.20°F |
| Winter Low | 31.40°F | 28.10°F |
| Rainfall | 7.70 in | 18.70 in |
| Snowfall | 10.70 in | 21.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 327 | 308 |
| Humidity | 30.00% | 35.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Caliente has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Sparks.
Sparks scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Caliente leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Caliente | Sparks |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 15.00 | 44.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Sparks is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Sparks is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Sparks has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Caliente | Sparks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,100 | 108,400 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 1.50% |
| Median Age | 46.0 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Caliente
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living are substantially lower than the US national average.
Exceptional public safety with very low crime rates providing a secure environment for residents.
Immediate proximity to stunning Nevada state parks including Cathedral Gorge and Kershaw-Ryan.
Abundant sunshine with approximately 327 sunny days per year supporting an active outdoor lifestyle.
Peaceful, small-town community atmosphere free from urban traffic congestion and noise.
Drawbacks
Geographic isolation requires significant driving times to access major shopping, airports, and specialized healthcare.
Limited local job market with employment heavily concentrated in government and public services.
Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, driving up seasonal cooling and utility costs.
Limited selection of dining, retail, and entertainment options within city limits.
Small rental inventory can make finding immediate housing challenging for newcomers.
Sparks
Advantages
No state personal income tax in Nevada, providing significant financial savings for residents.
Abundant outdoor recreation centered around the Sparks Marina and proximity to Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada.
Over 300 days of annual sunshine, supporting an active outdoor lifestyle.
Strategic economic location along Interstate 80 with a booming logistics and industrial job market.
Family-friendly atmosphere featuring master-planned communities, parks, and low crime rates relative to major metros.
Drawbacks
Housing costs and rental rates have risen significantly over recent years due to high demand.
Car dependency is high, as public transit options are limited outside of core bus routes.
High-desert climate brings dry conditions, wildfire smoke risks in summer, and winter temperature swings.
Wages in some service and traditional sectors can lag behind the rising cost of living.
Pollen and desert dust can present challenges for seasonal allergy sufferers.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Caliente
#181Nevada, USA
64.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
327/yr
Avg Temp
59.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
73
Business
55
Sparks
#252Nevada, USA
62.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$63,000
Cost Index
104
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
308/yr
Avg Temp
54.20°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
75
Business
72
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