Las Vegas NV vs New York NY — 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Vegas
650,873
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Vegas
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Las Vegas
38.5
New York
38.0
New York +
Foreign Born
Las Vegas
20.9%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Las Vegas
49.2%
Las Vegas +
New York
35.9%
Black
Las Vegas
11.9%
New York
22.7%
New York +
Asian
Las Vegas
6.9%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
New York
28.4%
Spanish at Home
Las Vegas
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,873 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 38.0 | New York + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 49.2% | 35.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Black | 11.9% | 22.7% | New York + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 34.1% | 28.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Vegas
$70,723
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Las Vegas
$38,421
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Vegas
$62,696
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Las Vegas
7.2%
Las Vegas +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
New York
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Vegas
27.3%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,723 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,421 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 7.7% | Las Vegas + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 17.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Vegas
$426,069
Las Vegas +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $426,069 | $816,078 | Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 32.8% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
460
New York
434
New York +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
2417
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 434 | New York + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
32.4%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
12.5%
New York
11.9%
New York +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Vegas
19.5%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
17.0%
New York
10.6%
New York +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.6%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.4% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 11.9% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.5% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 10.6% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 16.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
67.4°F
New York
55.4°F
New York +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 55.4°F | New York + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 5.1 in | 46.6 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Vegas
75.0%
New York
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Vegas
27.7 min
Las Vegas +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 44.2 min | Las Vegas + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $426,069. On public safety, New York is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Las Vegas. 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, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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