Las Vegas NV vs Paterson NJ — 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Vegas
650,873
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Vegas
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Las Vegas
38.5
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Las Vegas
20.9%
Paterson
N/A
White
Las Vegas
49.2%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Las Vegas
11.9%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Las Vegas
6.9%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Las Vegas
34.1%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Las Vegas
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,873 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | N/A | - |
| White | 49.2% | N/A | - |
| Black | 11.9% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 6.9% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 34.1% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Vegas
$70,723
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Las Vegas
$38,421
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Vegas
$62,696
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Las Vegas
7.2%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Las Vegas
14.2%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Vegas
27.3%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,723 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $38,421 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Vegas
$426,069
Las Vegas +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Las Vegas
55.7%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $426,069 | $527,542 | Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
460
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
2417
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
12.5%
Las Vegas +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Vegas
19.5%
Paterson
18.6%
Paterson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
17.0%
Las Vegas +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.4%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.6%
Las Vegas +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.4% | 37.5% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 16.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.5% | 18.6% | Paterson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 28.6% | Las Vegas + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.4% | Las Vegas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 5.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Vegas
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Vegas
27.7 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $426,069. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Las Vegas. 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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