Las Vegas NV vs Salem 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Vegas
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Las Vegas
38.5
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
Salem
12.2%
White
Las Vegas
49.2%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Las Vegas
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,873 | 176,666 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 12.2% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 49.2% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 11.9% | 1.6% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 3.5% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 34.1% | 23.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Vegas
$70,723
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Vegas
$62,696
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Las Vegas
7.2%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Vegas
27.3%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,723 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,421 | $36,477 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 14.7% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Vegas
$426,069
Las Vegas +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Las Vegas
55.7%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $426,069 | $438,754 | Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
460
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
2417
Las Vegas +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 3001 | Las Vegas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
12.5%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Vegas
19.5%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
17.0%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.6%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.4% | 41.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.5% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 16.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 5.1 in | 39.7 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Vegas
75.0%
Las Vegas +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Salem, 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
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $426,069. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Las Vegas. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.4%.
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