Las Vegas NV vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Vegas
650,873
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Vegas
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Las Vegas
38.5
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Las Vegas
49.2%
Las Vegas +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Las Vegas
11.9%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Las Vegas
6.9%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Las Vegas
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,873 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 14.6% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 49.2% | 36.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Black | 11.9% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 34.1% | 15.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Vegas
$62,696
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Las Vegas
7.2%
Las Vegas +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Vegas
27.3%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,723 | $60,698 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,421 | $37,669 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 8.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 22.0% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Vegas
$426,069
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $426,069 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 52.3% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
460
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
2417
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
32.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
12.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Vegas
19.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
17.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 5.1 in | 48.5 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Vegas
75.0%
Las Vegas +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Las Vegas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Vegas
27.7 min
Las Vegas +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 34.5 min | Las Vegas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
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