Las Vegas NV vs Modesto CA — 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%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Modesto
218,614
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Vegas
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Las Vegas
38.5
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Foreign Born
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
Modesto
18.7%
White
Las Vegas
49.2%
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Black
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Modesto
4.7%
Asian
Las Vegas
6.9%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Las Vegas
34.1%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Las Vegas
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,873 | 218,614 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 35.4 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 18.7% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 49.2% | 50.8% | Modesto + |
| Black | 11.9% | 4.7% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 34.1% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Vegas
$70,723
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Per Capita Income
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
Modesto
$34,656
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Vegas
$62,696
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Las Vegas
7.2%
Las Vegas +
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
Las Vegas
14.2%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Vegas
27.3%
Las Vegas +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,723 | $77,899 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,421 | $34,656 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 7.3% | Las Vegas + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 20.3% | Las Vegas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Vegas
$426,069
Las Vegas +
Modesto
$447,353
Homeownership Rate
Las Vegas
55.7%
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $426,069 | $447,353 | Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 58.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
460
Las Vegas +
Modesto
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
2417
Modesto
2388
Modesto +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 503 | Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 2388 | Modesto + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Modesto
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
12.5%
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Vegas
19.5%
Modesto
19.0%
Modesto +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
17.0%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Modesto
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.6%
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.4% | 36.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.1% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.5% | 19.0% | Modesto + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 16.5% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.7% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Modesto
63.7°F
Modesto +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
Modesto
13.1 in
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 63.7°F | Modesto + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 5.1 in | 13.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Vegas
75.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Vegas
27.7 min
Las Vegas +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 30.5 min | Las Vegas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $426,069. On public safety, Las Vegas is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Las Vegas has a lower unemployment rate at 7.2%, 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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