Las Vegas NV vs Mesa AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Mesa
507,478
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Vegas
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Las Vegas
38.5
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Foreign Born
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
Mesa
11.2%
White
Las Vegas
49.2%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Mesa
26.6%
Spanish at Home
Las Vegas
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,873 | 507,478 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 37.2 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 11.2% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 49.2% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 11.9% | 4.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 2.5% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 34.1% | 26.6% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Vegas
$70,723
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Las Vegas
$38,421
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Vegas
$62,696
Las Vegas +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Las Vegas
7.2%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Las Vegas
14.2%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Vegas
27.3%
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,723 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,421 | $39,586 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $59,120 | Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 31.5% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Vegas
$426,069
Las Vegas +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Las Vegas
55.7%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $426,069 | $435,670 | Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
460
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
2417
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 450 | Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 2150 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
32.4%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
12.5%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Vegas
19.5%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
17.0%
Mesa
13.0%
Mesa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Mesa
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.6%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.4% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.5% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 13.0% | Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 16.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Las Vegas +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
Mesa
11.7 in
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 71.8°F | Las Vegas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 5.1 in | 11.7 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Vegas
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Vegas
27.7 min
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 26.7 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, while las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $426,069. On public safety, Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Las Vegas. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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