Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Las Vegas
650,873
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Las Vegas
20.9%
White
Houston
35.5%
Las Vegas
49.2%
Las Vegas +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Las Vegas
11.9%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Las Vegas
34.1%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 650,873 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 38.5 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 20.9% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 49.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Black | 22.9% | 11.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 34.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Las Vegas
$38,421
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Las Vegas
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Las Vegas
27.3%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $70,723 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $38,421 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $62,696 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 7.2% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 27.3% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Las Vegas
$426,069
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $426,069 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 55.7% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Houston, TX | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 460 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2417 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Las Vegas
12.5%
Las Vegas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Las Vegas
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Las Vegas
17.0%
Las Vegas +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Las Vegas
15.6%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 32.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.5% | Las Vegas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 19.5% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 17.0% | Las Vegas + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 15.6% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
29.6 min
Las Vegas
27.7 min
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 27.7 min | Las Vegas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Las Vegas. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, 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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