Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Las Vegas
49.2%
Las Vegas +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Las Vegas
11.9%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 38.5 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 27.4% | 49.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Black | 60.0% | 11.9% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 34.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Las Vegas
$38,421
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Las Vegas
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Baltimore +
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Las Vegas
27.3%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $70,723 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $38,421 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $62,696 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 7.2% | Baltimore + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 27.3% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Las Vegas
$426,069
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $426,069 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 55.7% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 460 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 2417 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Las Vegas
12.5%
Las Vegas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Baltimore +
Las Vegas
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Las Vegas
15.6%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 32.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.5% | Las Vegas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 19.5% | Baltimore + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 17.0% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.6% | Las Vegas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Baltimore +
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 67.4°F | Baltimore + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Las Vegas
27.7 min
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 27.7 min | Las Vegas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Baltimore is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Las Vegas. Baltimore has a lower unemployment rate at 6.6%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.4%.
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