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City · 110,024 residents · Washoe County, Nevada

Sparks , Nevada

In Sparks, a typical home is worth $483,800 and typical rent is $1,716 a month. Compared with all of Washoe County, the typical home value is 10% lower and typical rent is 7% higher.

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  • Typical home value

    $483,800

    10% below the county

    11% above Nevada

    • Sparks
    • Washoe
    • Nevada

  • Typical rent

    $1,716a month

    7% above the county

    7% above Nevada

    • Sparks
    • Washoe
    • Nevada

  • Typical household income

    $89,056a year

    About the same as the county

    14% above Nevada

    • Sparks
    • Washoe
    • Nevada

  • Households that own their home

    60%

    About the same as the county

    About the same as Nevada

    • Sparks
    • Washoe
    • Nevada

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$534,404
2.4% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$2,140 a month
10.1% more than 12 months ago

From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Sparks is in Washoe County. The FHA loan limit ($638,250 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Washoe County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Sparks apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. Nearby, in Sun Valley, the typical rent is $1,214: 29% less than in Sparks ($1,716).

  2. Nearby, in Sun Valley, the typical home value is $349,100: 28% less than in Sparks ($483,800).

  3. According to Zillow, in the 12 months to September 2026 the typical home value in Sparks rose 2.4%; in Nevada, it fell 1.6%.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024); Zillow (September 2026 data). Zillow data

The homes here

Housing in Sparks

What homes there are in Sparks, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

Detached houses, standing on their own, make up 62% of homes here, against 59% in Washoe County.

Year built

In Sparks, half of the homes were built before 1993; in Washoe County, before 1991.

In Sparks, 60% of homes have 3 bedrooms or more, about the same as in Washoe County.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes

By price, most homes in Sparks sit under the FHA limit for Washoe County ($638,250): about 73%.

Monthly rent with utilities

With a mortgage

$2,010 a month

Washoe County: $2,117 a month

Without a mortgage

$563 a month

Washoe County: $601 a month

Owners with a mortgage

70%

Washoe County: 65%

The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Sparks is $2,010 a month, less than in Washoe County ($2,117); without one, $563.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

The typical home value in Sparks rose 61% since 2015–2019, about the same as in Washoe County (62%).

Rents in Sparks rose at about the same pace as in Washoe County: 51% since 2015–2019, against 50%.

Housing prices ran ahead of income in Sparks: typical income rose 38%, against +61% for home values and +51% for rent.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureSparksWashoe CountyNevadaUnited States
Rental vacancy 7.8%6.2%6.8%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimate1.1%1.1%0.9%
More than one person per room 5.0%4.3%4.4%3.4%
People per household 2.582.462.622.53
Drive alone 71%69%71%69%
Carpool 14%12%11%9%
Public transit 2%2%2%3%
Walk or bike 1%2%2%3%
Work from home 11%13%12%15%
Other means 1%3%2%2%
Typical commute 20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

In Sparks, the rental vacancy rate is 7.8%; in Washoe County, 6.2%.

More than one person per room: that is how 5.0% of households in Sparks live, near the figure in Washoe County (4.3%).

Much as in Washoe County, a household in Sparks has 2.58 people on average.

To get to work, 71% of workers in Sparks drive alone; in Washoe County, 69%.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in Sparks?

A typical home costs more than the typical income allows

We start with a typical home in Sparks, worth $483,800, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 52% of the typical household income in Sparks, which is $89,056 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $163,848 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Washoe County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Sparks. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $16,933 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$3,823

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$475,037
Total interest
$683,467
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $8,170 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $2,078 a month

  • Tight

    $2,078 to $2,672 a month

  • Hard

    more than $2,672 a month

    Your payment · 52%

Compared with the typical household income in Sparks ($89,056 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$3,823
Principal & interest$3,218
Property tax$190
Home insurance$202
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$214

You need at least $16,933 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

The city and its county

Sparks and Washoe County

Sparks is in Washoe County, Nevada. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).

Sparks's own numbers

Typical home value
$483,800
Typical monthly rent
$1,716
Typical yearly household income
$89,056
Households that own their home
60%
Effective property tax rate
0.47%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of Washoe County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$638,250
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,837
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+45%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
1.7%

HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.

Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Washoe County.

Everything about Washoe County

Buying

Buying a home in Sparks

A typical home in Sparks is worth $483,800: 10% below the county and 11% above Nevada. With the typical household income in Sparks ($89,056 a year), a typical home costs 5.4 times what the household earns in a year.

Years of income to pay for a typical home

The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.

  • Sparks 5.4 years
  • Washoe 6.1 years
  • Nevada 5.6 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Washoe County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Washoe County rose 116% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Washoe County.

Period County Nevada U.S.
Last year (2025) +2.4% +2.2% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +45% +49% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +116% +121% +85%

The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

Sparks next to Washoe County, Nevada and the U.S.

Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • Sparks $483,800
  • Washoe $539,900
  • Nevada $435,400
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Sparks $1,716
  • Washoe $1,608
  • Nevada $1,597
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Sparks $89,056
  • Washoe $88,096
  • Nevada $78,260
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Sparks next to Washoe County and Nevada
Measure Sparks Washoe County Nevada U.S.
Typical home value $483,800 $539,900 $435,400 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $1,716 $1,608 $1,597 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $89,056 $88,096 $78,260 $80,734
Households that own their home 60% 60% 60% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $2,257 $2,385 $2,027 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 0.47% 0.44% 0.47% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 51% 52% 56% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Washoe County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

Four ways to pay for a typical home in Sparks

For a typical $483,800 home in Sparks, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Sparks's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $3,823a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $16,933
    Cash to close
    $31,447
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $214

  • Conventional, 5% down $3,734a month

    Down payment
    $24,190
    Cash to close
    $38,704
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $230

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $3,013a month

    Down payment
    $96,760
    Cash to close
    $111,274
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $3,460a month

    Down payment
    $72,570
    Cash to close
    $87,084
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.

  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Sparks and for Washoe County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Sparks

0.47%of the home’s value each year

$2,257 a year for the typical owner in Sparks.

  • Sparks 0.47%
  • Washoe 0.44%
  • Nevada 0.47%

What Nevada publishes 3 percent cap on the yearly tax increase for your primary residence (Nevada Legislature (Nevada Revised Statutes))

Exemptions and deadlines in Nevada

Flood risk in Washoe County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of Washoe County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
1.7%
2,714
Of those, with NFIP insurance
31%
County Nevada U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 1.7% 2% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 31% 30% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Sparks

Typical rent in Sparks is $1,716 a month: 7% above the county. In Sparks, 51% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Washoe County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,837 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $35.33 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Washoe County

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $1,279 $24.60 $51,160
1 bedroom $1,460 $28.08 $58,400
2 bedrooms $1,837 $35.33 $73,480
3 bedrooms $2,452 $47.15 $98,080
4 bedrooms $2,842 $54.65 $113,680

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

By ZIP code

Fair market rent by ZIP code in Sparks

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Sparks has 3 ZIP codes with their own.

For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,690 in 89431 to $2,390 in 89436.

2 of the 3 are above the fair market rent for Washoe County ($1,837).

  • 89431 $1,690$2,290
  • 89434 $2,150$2,870
  • 89436 $2,390$3,190

2 of these ZIP codes cross the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Sparks when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in Sparks

HUD lists 9 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Sparks. These are the largest.

  • Parkside Garden Apartments 1800 Sullivan Ln, Sparks 89431 285 low-income homes · 1 bd: 72 · 2 bd: 217 · In service since 2003 · For families
  • Spanish Hills Apts 1475 Vista Del Rancho Pkwy, Sparks 89436 152 low-income homes · 1 bd: 32 · 2 bd: 40 · 3 bd: 80 · In service since 2000 · For families
  • Banbridge Apartments 1000 El Rancho Dr, Sparks 89431 128 low-income homes · 1 bd: 48 · 2 bd: 80 · In service since 2001 · For families
  • Sierra Crest Senior Apts 795 Prater Way, Sparks 89431 72 low-income homes · 1 bd: 45 · 2 bd: 27 · In service since 2005 · For older adults
  • Grace Senior Apartments 1260 Commerce St, Sparks 89431 55 low-income homes · 1 bd: 36 · 2 bd: 18 · 4 bd: 1 · In service since 2004 · For older adults

See all 74 buildings in Washoe County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Sparks

You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.

We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Washoe County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.

A man listens closely, seated at a meeting table.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Sparks

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Sparks or Washoe County. The ones below are statewide in Nevada: they work in Sparks the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in Nevada

  • Home Is Possible

    Statewide in Nevada

    Nevada Housing Division program: up to 5% of the loan for the down payment or closing costs, with no first-time buyer requirement. Offered by Nevada Housing Division.

    Type not stated

    See the program Official page

  • Home Is Possible For First-Time Homebuyers

    Statewide in Nevada

    Nevada Housing Division program for first-time buyers: a 30-year mortgage with interest-free help for the down payment and closing costs of up to 4% of the loan, which is not forgiven. Offered by Nevada Housing Division.

    Type not stated

    See the program Official page

  • Home Is Possible For Teachers

    Statewide in Nevada

    $7,500 from the Nevada Housing Division for public school teachers, for the down payment and closing costs; forgiven after five years if you still live in the home. Offered by Nevada Housing Division.

    Forgivable

    See the program Official page

Housing counselors near Sparks

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Sparks, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • Community Services of Nevada (CSNV)

    500 N Rainbow Blvd, Las Vegas · 338 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 10 more
    (702) 307-1710

  • Nevada Partners, Inc.

    690 W Lake Mead Blvd, North Las Vegas · 341 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 5 more
    (702) 844-8000

  • NSC (naca Counseling Subsidiary) - Las Vegas, NV

    3030 S Jones Blvd Ste 103, Las Vegas · 341 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 5 more
    (702) 362-6199

All counseling agencies in Nevada

Help in Spanish near Sparks

2 of the 3 agencies on this list say they serve in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of Sparks

In HUD’s record, no housing authority with an office in Washoe County is named for Sparks or Washoe County.

One other authority has an office in Washoe County: see the list Source: HUD

Cities

Other cities in Washoe County

These cities are also in Washoe County. They share its loan limits and fair market rents, but home values and rent change from one to the next.

Everything about Washoe County Housing in Nevada

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Sparks, with the typical home value.

Neighboring counties

If Washoe County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in Sparks.

All guides
A mother smiles as she carries her young daughter on her shoulders (black and white).

Questions

Housing questions about Sparks

Short answers with the numbers for Sparks and all of Washoe County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.

How much does a typical home cost in Sparks?

The typical home value in Sparks is $483,800, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Washoe County it is $539,900.

How much does it cost to rent in Sparks?

Typical rent in Sparks is $1,716 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Washoe County is $1,837.

What is the FHA loan limit in Sparks?

Sparks uses the FHA limit for all of Washoe County (2026): $638,250 for a one-unit home and $1,227,400 for a four-unit home.

How much property tax do owners pay in Sparks?

The typical homeowner in Sparks pays $2,257 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.47% of the home’s value; in Washoe County, the rate is 0.44%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Sparks?

We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Washoe County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).