Las Vegas NV vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Vegas
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Las Vegas
38.5
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Foreign Born
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Las Vegas
49.2%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Las Vegas
6.9%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Las Vegas
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,873 | 220,482 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 37.3 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 12.2% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 49.2% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 11.9% | 10.5% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 34.1% | 13.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Vegas
$70,723
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Las Vegas
$38,421
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Vegas
$62,696
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Las Vegas
7.2%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Las Vegas
14.2%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Vegas
27.3%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,723 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,421 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Vegas
$426,069
Las Vegas +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Las Vegas
55.7%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $426,069 | $496,966 | Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
460
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
2417
Las Vegas +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 3409 | Las Vegas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
12.5%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Vegas
19.5%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
17.0%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.6%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.4% | 37.3% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.5% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 16.8% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 5.1 in | 39.2 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Vegas
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Tacoma, 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 +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 31.1 min | Las Vegas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $426,069. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Las Vegas. Tacoma 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, Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.4%.
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