Sparks, Nevada, known as "The Rail City," is a vibrant and growing community located near Reno. With its rich railroad history, strong local economy, and welcoming community, Sparks offers a high quality of life for its residents. The city's blend of suburban charm and urban amenities makes living in Sparks an attractive option for families and professionals.
Residents of Sparks enjoy a variety of recreational activities and cultural events. The city's numerous parks, recreational facilities, and cultural institutions provide ample opportunities for outdoor activities and enrichment. The Sparks Heritage Museum and the Victorian Square are popular destinations that celebrate the city's cultural richness and historic significance. The annual Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off and the Sparks Hometowne Christmas Parade are events that showcase Sparks' vibrant ...
Sparks' strong economy is supported by a diverse range of industries, including logistics, manufacturing, and retail. The city's strategic location near Reno provides residents with easy access to job opportunities and cultural amenities in the metropolitan area. Major employers in the area include Tesla and the Washoe County School District.
Sparks is committed to community development, with numerous initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure, public services, and recreational facilities. These efforts contribute to the city's overall appeal and enhance the quality of life for its residents.
Public transportation in Sparks is well-developed, with access to RTC RIDE buses, facilitating easy commutes within the city and to neighboring areas. Sparks' climate features hot summers and cold winters, allowing for a variety of seasonal activities. Overall, Sparks offers a blend of historical significance, economic opportunity, and community spirit, making it a desirable place to live.
Commute
The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.
Cost Of Living
Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.
Housing
Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.
Ratings
Through surveys and polls, AreaVibes obtained feedback from local residents in the area, and the results did not indicate a favorable outlook on factors like local amenities and the safety of the area.
Sparks, Nevada is a mid-sized city with a population of 102,895 residents. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (70% White). Given that fact, Sparks could be considered less diverse than other cities. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Sparks are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 22% of the population also speak Spanish. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make Sparks your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 23 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.
Without the right tools, moving to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Sparks, Nevada could be a good experience for anyone who puts in the time to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. To help you find the best places to live in and around Sparks, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, cost of living, education, housing and more.
With a livability score of 75/100, Sparks is ranked #3,000 in the United States and #11 in Nevada. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Sparks could be a great choice! If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Sparks has higher than average scores for the following: cost of living (B+), employment (B-) and housing (A+). Sparks does not rank well for the following: crime (D). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Sparks apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Sparks is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Sparks come in at $324,000, which is 69.1% higher than the Nevada average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Sparks, the home price to income ratio is 4.8, which is 33.3% higher than the Nevada average.
| Statistic | Sparks | Nevada | National |
| Average one way commute | 23min | 24min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 78.1% | 78.0% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 12.5% | 10.7% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.7% | 3.6% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.2% | 2.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.7% | 3.6% | 4.6% |
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