--- title: Sparks vs Reno: Which City Fits Your Move? url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/sparks-vs-reno/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving to Reno and Sparks: the complete guide](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/) - Sparks vs Reno # Sparks vs Reno Sparks has 110,024 people and a median home value of $483,800, while Reno has 273,212 people and a median of $548,300. Sparks rents run higher at $1,716 against $1,556, and 62.4 percent of Sparks homes are single-family detached against 50.1 percent in Reno. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) 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](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/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](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/areas/sparks/) and [movers in Reno](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/areas/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. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020 to 2024](https://data.census.gov/) - [Washoe County School District](https://www.washoeschools.net/) - [Nevada Department of Taxation](https://tax.nv.gov/) ### Licensed movers U.S. DOT No. 30611 MC-109375 Nevada CPCN 1070 Cal PUC T-90973 (as published by O'Brien's) Bekins Van Lines interstate agent since 1955 [Check our USDOT record](https://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/query.asp?searchtype=ANY&query_type=queryCarrierSnapshot&query_param=USDOT&query_string=30611) · [Ready to Move? (FMCSA)](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/ReadytoMoveBrochure_2022Update.pdf) [Licenses and authority](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [Movers in Sparks](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/areas/sparks/) - [Movers in Reno](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/areas/reno/) - [Reno and Sparks neighborhoods by ZIP code](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/neighborhoods/) - [Reno housing: owning vs renting (Census data)](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/housing-market/) Moving to Reno guides ## Read next - [Carson City vs Reno](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/carson-city-vs-reno/) - [Retiring in Reno and Sparks](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/retiring-in-reno/) - [Retiring in Carson City and the Carson Valley](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/retiring-in-carson-valley/) - [Moving to Lake Tahoe: North Shore vs South Shore](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/moving-to-lake-tahoe/) - [New Nevada resident checklist: first 30, 60, 90 days](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/new-resident-checklist/) - [Washoe County property taxes and the abatement cap](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/property-taxes/) - [Renting in Reno: what newcomers should know](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/renting-in-reno/) - [Hospitals and healthcare in Reno and Sparks](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/healthcare/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### Is Sparks cheaper than Reno? Sparks' median home value is $483,800 against $548,300 in Reno, but its median rent is higher, $1,716 against $1,556. ### Which has newer homes? Sparks. Its median year built is 1993 against 1990 in Reno. ### Do both use the same school district? Yes. Both are in the Washoe County School District; see [schools and enrolling kids](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/schools/). ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) T Tommy B. August 21, 2026 Great local business. Very family oriented with highly knowledgeable staff with remarkable employees going the extra mile. If you need a moving service for any reason, go here. ### Owner's reply Thanks Tommy appreciate you giving us a review. R Robert B. June 22, 2026 The movers were very professional and took care of my stuff there were no worries and stress free amazing job. J Janet M. May 16, 2026 I was so impressed with the way the crew handled and packed each piece of furniture for short term storage. They were polite and professional. I would highly recommend them to anyone planning a move. ### Owner's reply Janet we are so glad to hear that your move was a great success and we sincerely appreciate you providing us with this wonderful review. We will continue to provide you with the best service as we move forward. ## Get a long-distance estimate Tell us where you are going. The estimate for a long-distance move starts with a survey of your Reno-area home. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070