Las Vegas NV vs Santa Clarita 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%
Santa Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Santa Clarita
229,021
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Vegas
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
Las Vegas
38.5
Santa Clarita
38.1
Santa Clarita +
Foreign Born
Las Vegas
20.9%
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Santa Clarita +
White
Las Vegas
49.2%
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Santa Clarita +
Black
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Asian
Las Vegas
6.9%
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Hispanic
Las Vegas
34.1%
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Spanish at Home
Las Vegas
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,873 | 229,021 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 38.1 | Santa Clarita + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 21.6% | Santa Clarita + |
| White | 49.2% | 53.1% | Santa Clarita + |
| Black | 11.9% | 4.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 11.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 34.1% | 36.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Vegas
$70,723
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
Las Vegas
$38,421
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Vegas
$62,696
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Unemployment Rate
Las Vegas
7.2%
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Santa Clarita +
Poverty Rate
Las Vegas
14.2%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Vegas
27.3%
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,723 | $119,926 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,421 | $49,571 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $77,230 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.3% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 7.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 39.3% | Santa Clarita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Vegas
$426,069
Las Vegas +
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Homeownership Rate
Las Vegas
55.7%
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $426,069 | $802,780 | Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 72.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
460
Las Vegas +
Santa Clarita
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
2417
Santa Clarita
2388
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 503 | Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 2388 | Santa Clarita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
32.4%
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
12.5%
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Vegas
19.5%
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
17.0%
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.6%
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.4% | 24.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 9.8% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.5% | 16.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 8.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 16.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 9.9% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 5.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Vegas
75.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Santa Clarita, 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
Las Vegas +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 37.4 min | Las Vegas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, 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 Santa Clarita. Santa Clarita 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, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
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