Columbus OH 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Las Vegas
650,873
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Las Vegas
49.2%
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Las Vegas
11.9%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 650,873 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 38.5 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 53.3% | 49.2% | Columbus + |
| Black | 29.0% | 11.9% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 34.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Las Vegas
$62,696
Las Vegas +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Las Vegas
27.3%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $70,723 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $38,421 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $62,696 | Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 7.2% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 27.3% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Las Vegas
$426,069
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $426,069 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 55.7% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 460 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2417 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Las Vegas
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Las Vegas
19.5%
Las Vegas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Columbus +
Las Vegas
15.6%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 32.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.5% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 19.5% | Las Vegas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 17.0% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.6% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Vegas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 27.7 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Las Vegas. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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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