Las Vegas NV vs New Orleans LA — 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%
New Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
New Orleans
376,035
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Vegas
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Las Vegas
38.5
New Orleans
38.4
New Orleans +
Foreign Born
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Las Vegas
49.2%
Las Vegas +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Las Vegas
11.9%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
New Orleans
2.8%
Hispanic
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Las Vegas
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,873 | 376,035 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 38.4 | New Orleans + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 6.6% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 49.2% | 31.6% | Las Vegas + |
| Black | 11.9% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 2.8% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 34.1% | 7.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Las Vegas
$38,421
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Vegas
$62,696
Las Vegas +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Las Vegas
7.2%
Las Vegas +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Vegas
27.3%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,723 | $55,339 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,421 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $55,297 | Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 7.8% | Las Vegas + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 22.6% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Vegas
$426,069
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
New Orleans
50.5%
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $426,069 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 50.5% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
460
Las Vegas +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
2417
Las Vegas +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 643 | Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 2824 | Las Vegas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
New Orleans
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
12.5%
Las Vegas +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Vegas
19.5%
New Orleans
19.4%
New Orleans +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
17.0%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.6%
New Orleans
15.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.4% | 34.0% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 15.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.5% | 19.4% | New Orleans + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 19.7% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.5% | New Orleans + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
67.4°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 5.1 in | 66.6 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Vegas
75.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Vegas
27.7 min
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 24.6 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Las Vegas is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. 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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