Las Vegas NV vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Reno
268,959
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Vegas
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Las Vegas
38.5
Reno
37.3
Reno +
Foreign Born
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
Reno
16.1%
White
Las Vegas
49.2%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Las Vegas
6.9%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Reno
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Las Vegas
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,873 | 268,959 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 37.3 | Reno + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 16.1% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 49.2% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 11.9% | 3.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 34.1% | 24.6% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Vegas
$70,723
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Las Vegas
$38,421
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Vegas
$62,696
Reno
$62,696
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Las Vegas
7.2%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Las Vegas
14.2%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Vegas
27.3%
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,723 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,421 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $62,696 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 35.7% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Vegas
$426,069
Las Vegas +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $426,069 | $570,934 | Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 49.4% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
460
Reno
460
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
2417
Reno
2417
Tie
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 460 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 2417 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
32.4%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
12.5%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Vegas
19.5%
Reno
18.5%
Reno +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
17.0%
Reno
13.0%
Reno +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.6%
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.4% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.5% | 18.5% | Reno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 13.0% | Reno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 18.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.8% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
Reno
8.3 in
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 53.0°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 5.1 in | 8.3 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Vegas
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Vegas
27.7 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, while las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $426,069. On public safety, Reno is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Las Vegas. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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