Gainesville 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Las Vegas
49.2%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Las Vegas
11.9%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 38.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 59.2% | 49.2% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 11.9% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 34.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Las Vegas
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Las Vegas
27.3%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $70,723 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $38,421 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $62,696 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 7.2% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 27.3% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Las Vegas
$426,069
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $426,069 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 55.7% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 460 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2417 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Las Vegas
32.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Las Vegas
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Las Vegas
19.5%
Las Vegas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Gainesville +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Las Vegas
15.6%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 32.4% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 12.5% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 19.5% | Las Vegas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 17.0% | Gainesville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.6% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Las Vegas +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 67.4°F | Las Vegas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, 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
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 27.7 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Las Vegas. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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