Las Vegas NV vs St. Louis MO — 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
St. Louis
293,109
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Vegas
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Las Vegas
38.5
St. Louis
36.6
St. Louis +
Foreign Born
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Las Vegas
49.2%
Las Vegas +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Las Vegas
11.9%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
St. Louis
3.4%
Hispanic
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Las Vegas
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,873 | 293,109 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 36.6 | St. Louis + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 6.6% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 49.2% | 45.7% | Las Vegas + |
| Black | 11.9% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 3.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 34.1% | 5.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Las Vegas
$38,421
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Vegas
$62,696
Las Vegas +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Las Vegas
7.2%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Vegas
27.3%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,723 | $55,279 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,421 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $58,527 | Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 19.8% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Vegas
$426,069
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $426,069 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 45.4% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
460
Las Vegas +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
2417
Las Vegas +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 501 | Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 2418 | Las Vegas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
12.5%
Las Vegas +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Vegas
19.5%
St. Louis
18.8%
St. Louis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
17.0%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.6%
Las Vegas +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.4% | 36.8% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 13.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.5% | 18.8% | St. Louis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 17.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.8% | Las Vegas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
67.4°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
5.1 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | St. Louis, MO | 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 +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Vegas
75.0%
Las Vegas +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 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
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 24.0 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Las Vegas is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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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