Moving from Provo, UT to Sparks, NV
Relocating 560 mi from Provo to Sparks is a 9h 18m drive through 2 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
560 mi · 9h 18m by car · UT → NV
Distance & route
| Route through | UT → NV |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 15, SR 114 |
| Major cities en route | West Jordan, Salt Lake City, West Valley City, Reno |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Provo | Sparks | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.232 | 101.014 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 78.63 | 89.274 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 96.271 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.081 | 123.478 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 2.8% above Provo — $484,203 → $529,283 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Provo +2.3%, Sparks -0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Provo | Sparks |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 54°F |
| January avg low | 24°F | 25°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.9" | 6.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.2" | 8.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Sparks gets around 6.8 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PROVO BYU, UT US, SPARKS, NV US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Provo | Sparks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 109,106 |
| Median household income | $62,800 | $86,979 |
| Median age | 23.7 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.1% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.35 | 2.64 |
Expect median household income to rise 2.8% — $62,800 → $86,979 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sparks MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 30,990 | $45,200 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 30,330 | $42,130 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 23,210 | $30,270 |
| Management Occupations | 21,700 | $97,370 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,500 | $36,430 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Utah and Nevada
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Nevada's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Sparks average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Sparks sees only 8.4 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Nevada after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Provo vs Sparks?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $86,979 in Sparks vs $62,800 in Provo — a 38.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Provo and Sparks?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 53.5°F in Sparks vs 54.6°F in Provo (1.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 6.8 in vs 44.9 in. Annual precipitation: 8.4 in vs 17.2 in.
Is Sparks more expensive than Provo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sparks is 2.8% higher than Provo (101.014 vs 98.232, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Sparks compared to Provo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $529,283 in Sparks vs $484,203 in Provo — a 9.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Provo to Sparks?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 560 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Sparks compare to Provo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,540 in the Sparks MSA vs $45,700 in the Provo MSA, on total employment of 254,100 and 293,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Sparks, NV from Provo, UT?
The driving distance is 560 mi and the route typically takes 9h 18m via I 80 and I 15. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Provo.
City profiles: Provo, UT · Sparks, NV.