Las Vegas NV vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Raleigh
470,763
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Vegas
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Las Vegas
38.5
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
Raleigh
13.6%
White
Las Vegas
49.2%
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Black
Las Vegas
11.9%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Raleigh
4.7%
Hispanic
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Las Vegas
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,873 | 470,763 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 13.6% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 49.2% | 53.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 11.9% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 4.7% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 34.1% | 12.7% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Vegas
$70,723
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Las Vegas
$38,421
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Vegas
$62,696
Las Vegas +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Las Vegas
7.2%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Las Vegas
14.2%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Vegas
27.3%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,723 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,421 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $59,120 | Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Vegas
$426,069
Las Vegas +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $426,069 | $435,807 | Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 51.2% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
460
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
2417
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 1999 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
32.4%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
12.5%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Vegas
19.5%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
17.0%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.4%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.6%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.4% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.5% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Raleigh
61.1°F
Raleigh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 61.1°F | Raleigh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 5.1 in | 46.2 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Vegas
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Raleigh, NC | 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
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 25.1 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $426,069. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Las Vegas. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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