Austin TX vs Las Vegas NV — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Las Vegas
650,873
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Las Vegas
49.2%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Las Vegas
6.9%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 650,873 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 38.5 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 59.9% | 49.2% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 11.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 6.9% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 34.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Las Vegas
$70,723
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Las Vegas
$38,421
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
Las Vegas
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Las Vegas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Las Vegas
27.3%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $70,723 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $38,421 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $62,696 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 7.2% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 14.2% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 27.3% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Las Vegas
$426,069
Las Vegas +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $426,069 | Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 55.7% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Austin +
Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Austin +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Austin, TX | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 460 | Austin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2417 | Austin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Las Vegas
32.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Las Vegas
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Las Vegas
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Austin +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Las Vegas
15.6%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 32.4% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 12.5% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 19.5% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 17.0% | Austin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 15.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 15.6% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Austin +
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 67.4°F | Austin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Vegas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Austin +
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | Austin, TX | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 27.7 min | Austin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $426,069. On public safety, Austin is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Las Vegas. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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