Las Vegas NV vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Vegas
650,873
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Vegas
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Las Vegas
38.5
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
Seattle
19.9%
White
Las Vegas
49.2%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Las Vegas
6.9%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Las Vegas
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,873 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 19.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 49.2% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 11.9% | 6.6% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 34.1% | 8.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Vegas
$70,723
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Las Vegas
$38,421
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Vegas
$62,696
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Las Vegas
7.2%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Las Vegas
14.2%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Vegas
27.3%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,723 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,421 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Vegas
$426,069
Las Vegas +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $426,069 | $871,599 | Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 44.3% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
460
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
2417
Las Vegas +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 3409 | Las Vegas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
32.4%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
12.5%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Vegas
19.5%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
17.0%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.6%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.4% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.5% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 19.0% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 5.1 in | 37.5 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Vegas
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 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 +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 28.8 min | Las Vegas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $426,069. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Las Vegas. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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