Las Vegas NV vs San Diego CA — 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Vegas
650,873
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Vegas
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Las Vegas
38.5
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Foreign Born
Las Vegas
20.9%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Las Vegas
49.2%
San Diego
50.4%
San Diego +
Black
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
Las Vegas
6.9%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
San Diego
29.6%
Spanish at Home
Las Vegas
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,873 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 36.0 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 49.2% | 50.4% | San Diego + |
| Black | 11.9% | 5.7% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 34.1% | 29.6% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Vegas
$70,723
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Las Vegas
$38,421
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Vegas
$62,696
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Las Vegas
7.2%
San Diego
5.9%
San Diego +
Poverty Rate
Las Vegas
14.2%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Vegas
27.3%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,723 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,421 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.9% | San Diego + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Vegas
$426,069
Las Vegas +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $426,069 | $1,006,261 | Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 47.6% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
460
Las Vegas +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
2417
San Diego
2388
San Diego +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 503 | Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 2388 | San Diego + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
32.4%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
12.5%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Vegas
19.5%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
17.0%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.6%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.4% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.5% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 16.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
67.4°F
San Diego
61.6°F
San Diego +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
San Diego
12.3 in
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 61.6°F | San Diego + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 5.1 in | 12.3 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Vegas
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Vegas
27.7 min
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 25.9 min | San Diego + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, while las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $426,069. On public safety, Las Vegas is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Diego. San Diego has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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