Las Vegas NV vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Vegas
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Las Vegas
38.5
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
Salt Lake City
15.4%
White
Las Vegas
49.2%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Spanish at Home
Las Vegas
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,873 | 203,888 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 15.4% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 49.2% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 11.9% | 2.7% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 5.3% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 34.1% | 20.8% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Vegas
$70,723
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Las Vegas
$38,421
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Vegas
$62,696
Las Vegas +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Las Vegas
7.2%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Las Vegas
14.2%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Vegas
27.3%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,723 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,421 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $60,713 | Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Vegas
$426,069
Las Vegas +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $426,069 | $580,126 | Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 46.8% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
460
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
2417
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
32.4%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
12.5%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Vegas
19.5%
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Salt Lake City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
17.0%
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.6%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.4% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.5% | 18.2% | Salt Lake City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 12.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 16.0% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 5.1 in | 16.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Vegas
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Vegas
27.7 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $426,069. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Las Vegas. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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