Sparks and Reno share a border, a school district and a region, and our warehouse sits in Sparks, so we move people into both every week. The differences are in the housing stock, the age of the neighborhoods and what the first month feels like.
Size and age of the housing
The 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey counts 42,414 households in Sparks and 114,322 in Reno. The median year built is 1993 in Sparks and 1990 in Reno. In Sparks, 39.8 percent of housing units were built in 2000 or later; in Reno, 35.6 percent were. Reno has the older core, with 37.4 percent of homes built before 1980 against 33.8 percent in Sparks.
For a mover, that means different homes inside. Older Reno houses may have narrower stairs, smaller closets and crawl-space storage; Sparks homes more often have larger garages and open layouts. Tell your estimator which you are moving into and they will plan the load order.
Owning or renting
Sparks is 59.8 percent owner-occupied and Reno 49.8 percent. Reno's median household income is $80,760 and Sparks' $89,056. Rent is higher in Sparks, $1,716 against $1,556, partly because more of its rentals are newer.
Our renting in Reno guide covers the Nevada rules that apply to both cities.
Newcomers and turnover
About 4.1 percent of Reno residents lived in another state a year earlier; in Sparks it is 3.0 percent. 34.1 percent of Reno householders moved in during 2020 or later against 30.6 percent in Sparks. Both cities are changing, and Reno is changing slightly faster.
Getting around
Our warehouse at 2277 Glendale Ave is 6.3 miles and 11 minutes from the middle of Reno and 6.5 miles and 14 minutes from the middle of Sparks, so a local crew reaches either quickly. The two cities are linked by I-80, I-580 and Victorian Avenue, and the RTC bus network serves both.
Sparks has a smaller downtown and more newer subdivisions toward Spanish Springs; Reno has the university, the river district and older neighborhoods. See movers in Sparks and movers in Reno.
Choosing
If you want a newer single-family home with a garage and a quieter street, Sparks tends to deliver more of that. If you want walkable blocks, older character and more rentals to choose from, Reno does. Either way, a free in-home estimate from O'Brien's comes with 10 free heavy-duty boxes. Call 775-359-6683.