Las Vegas NV vs Portland OR — 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, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Portland
642,715
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Vegas
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Las Vegas
38.5
Las Vegas +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
Portland
12.4%
White
Las Vegas
49.2%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Las Vegas
6.9%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Las Vegas
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,873 | 642,715 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 38.6 | Las Vegas + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 12.4% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 49.2% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 11.9% | 5.8% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 34.1% | 11.3% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Vegas
$70,723
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Las Vegas
$38,421
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Vegas
$62,696
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Las Vegas
7.2%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Las Vegas
14.2%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Vegas
27.3%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,723 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,421 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Vegas
$426,069
Las Vegas +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $426,069 | $538,687 | Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 52.8% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
460
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
2417
Las Vegas +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 3001 | Las Vegas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
32.4%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
12.5%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Vegas
19.5%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
17.0%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.6%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.4% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.5% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 17.7% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 5.1 in | 78.3 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Vegas
75.0%
Las Vegas +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 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
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 26.5 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Las Vegas. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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 28.5%.
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