Las Vegas NV vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Vegas
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Las Vegas
38.5
Portland
37.5
Portland +
Foreign Born
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
Portland
11.1%
White
Las Vegas
49.2%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Las Vegas
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,873 | 68,505 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 37.5 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 11.1% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 49.2% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 11.9% | 9.0% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 3.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 34.1% | 3.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Vegas
$70,723
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Las Vegas
$38,421
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Vegas
$62,696
Las Vegas +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Las Vegas
7.2%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Las Vegas
14.2%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Vegas
27.3%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,723 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,421 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $61,587 | Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Vegas
$426,069
Las Vegas +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $426,069 | $561,069 | Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 46.7% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
460
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
2417
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
32.4%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
12.5%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Vegas
19.5%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
17.0%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.6%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.4% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.5% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 18.3% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 5.1 in | 47.3 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Vegas
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Vegas
27.7 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $426,069. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Las Vegas. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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