Las Vegas NV vs Ontario 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%
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Ontario
138,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Vegas
N/A
Ontario
N/A
Median Age
Las Vegas
38.5
Ontario
36.9
Ontario +
Foreign Born
Las Vegas
20.9%
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
White
Las Vegas
49.2%
Ontario
53.6%
Ontario +
Black
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Ontario
1.6%
Asian
Las Vegas
6.9%
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Hispanic
Las Vegas
34.1%
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Spanish at Home
Las Vegas
N/A
Ontario
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,873 | 138,723 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 36.9 | Ontario + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 21.0% | Ontario + |
| White | 49.2% | 53.6% | Ontario + |
| Black | 11.9% | 1.6% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 13.1% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 34.1% | 40.0% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Vegas
$70,723
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Per Capita Income
Las Vegas
$38,421
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Vegas
$62,696
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Unemployment Rate
Las Vegas
7.2%
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Poverty Rate
Las Vegas
14.2%
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Vegas
27.3%
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,723 | $116,945 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,421 | $50,759 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $77,230 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.7% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 9.2% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 40.1% | Ontario + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Vegas
$426,069
Las Vegas +
Ontario
$671,948
Homeownership Rate
Las Vegas
55.7%
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $426,069 | $671,948 | Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 58.1% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
460
Las Vegas +
Ontario
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
2417
Ontario
2388
Ontario +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 503 | Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 2388 | Ontario + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Ontario
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
12.5%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Vegas
19.5%
Ontario
17.8%
Ontario +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
17.0%
Ontario
17.0%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Ontario
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.6%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.4% | 33.6% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.5% | 17.8% | Ontario + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 17.0% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.7% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Ontario
65.5°F
Ontario +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
Ontario
15.0 in
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 65.5°F | Ontario + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 5.1 in | 15.0 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Vegas
75.0%
Ontario
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Ontario, 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 +
Ontario
28.2 min
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 28.2 min | Las Vegas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, 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 Ontario. Ontario has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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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