City Comparison
Sparks vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Sparks scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Sparks
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Sparks.
Housing costs are a major driver: Sparks's average rent is
17% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Sparks | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,410 | +17% |
| Groceries | $420 | $493 | -15% |
| Utilities | $175 | $178 | -2% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,615 | $2,451 | +7% |
| Cost Index | 104 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 20% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cincinnati delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Sparks is estimated at
$54,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Sparks | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $63,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $54,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,577 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $74,500 | $52,909 |
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 | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 70.00% |
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, Cincinnati leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Sparks | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Sparks.
From a growth perspective, Sparks is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Sparks | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 108,400 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 3.20% |
| 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.
Cincinnati
Advantages
The cost of living in Cincinnati is 3% lower than the national average, making it more affordable than many major U.S. cities.
Cincinnati boasts a diverse and growing economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services.
The city offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, including museums, theaters, and a symphony orchestra.
Several neighborhoods, such as Over-The-Rhine and the Central Business District, are highly walkable, with Walk Scores of 94 and 92 respectively.
The median property value in Cincinnati was $230,900 in 2024, significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership more accessible.
Drawbacks
While some areas are highly walkable, the city's overall Walk Score of 49 indicates a car-dependent environment for most errands.
Public transportation, while available, is not considered the most dependable, often necessitating a personal vehicle.
The city's poverty rate was 25.5% in 2024, which is higher than the national average.
Cincinnati experiences extreme seasonal variations in humidity, with muggy summers and very cold, snowy winters.
The average commute time in the Cincinnati metropolitan area was 2 hours daily in 2023, which is relatively long compared to some other cities.
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
Cincinnati
#501Ohio, USA
52.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$79,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
49.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
70
Business
72
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