City Comparison
Sparks vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Sparks scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Sparks
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Akron is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Sparks.
Housing costs are a major driver: Sparks's average rent is
47% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Sparks | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,123 | +47% |
| Groceries | $420 | $742 | -43% |
| Utilities | $175 | $234 | -25% |
| Transport | $130 | $357 | -64% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $130 | +85% |
| Monthly Total | $2,615 | $2,586 | +1% |
| Cost Index | 104 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 14% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Akron delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Sparks is estimated at
$54,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Sparks | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $63,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $54,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,577 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $74,500 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Sparks runs warmer on average — a 54.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Sparks comes out ahead with 308 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Sparks sees 21.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Sparks | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 88.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 28.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 18.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 21.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 308 | |
| Humidity | 35.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Sparks scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Akron leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Sparks | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Sparks.
From a growth perspective, Sparks is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Akron has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Sparks | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 108,400 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | — |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Akron
Advantages
The overall cost of living in Akron is 15% lower than the national average, making it a highly affordable city.
Housing costs are significantly lower than the national average, with average monthly rent at $1,123 and median home prices around $153,000.
Akron has a diverse economy with strong industries including healthcare, manufacturing, and the polymer sector.
The city offers a public transportation system (METRO RTA) with affordable monthly passes at $50.
Healthcare costs in Akron are approximately 14% lower than the national average.
Drawbacks
Akron has a high crime rate, with an overall crime rate 50% above the national average and a safety grade of C-.
The city is experiencing a projected population decline of -0.9% annually.
Akron has a negative job growth rate, with a 0.461% decline in employed population in 2024.
The lifestyle in Akron is largely car-dependent, with most errands requiring a vehicle and an average Walk Score of 48.
The median household income of $48,076 in 2024 is below the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Akron
#575Ohio, USA
46.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,123
Avg Salary
$73,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
65
Business
55
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