Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Las Vegas
38.5
Las Vegas +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Las Vegas
20.9%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Las Vegas
49.2%
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Las Vegas
11.9%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 38.5 | Las Vegas + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 20.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 49.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Black | 28.8% | 11.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 34.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Las Vegas
$70,723
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Las Vegas
$38,421
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Las Vegas
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Las Vegas
27.3%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $70,723 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $38,421 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $62,696 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 7.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 27.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Las Vegas
$426,069
Las Vegas +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $426,069 | Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 55.7% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 460 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2417 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Las Vegas
32.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Las Vegas
12.5%
Las Vegas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Las Vegas
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Las Vegas
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
Las Vegas
15.6%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 32.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.5% | Las Vegas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 19.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 17.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Las Vegas +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | 67.4°F | Las Vegas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Las Vegas
27.7 min
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 27.7 min | Las Vegas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $426,069. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Las Vegas. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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