Las Vegas NV vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Vegas
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Las Vegas
38.5
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Las Vegas
49.2%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Las Vegas
6.9%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
Las Vegas
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,873 | 186,419 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 13.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 49.2% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 11.9% | 7.8% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 34.1% | 23.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Vegas
$70,723
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Las Vegas
$38,421
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Vegas
$62,696
Las Vegas +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Las Vegas
7.2%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Vegas
27.3%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,723 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,421 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $59,120 | Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 16.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Vegas
$426,069
Las Vegas +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $426,069 | $468,328 | Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 41.6% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
460
Tempe
450
Tempe +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
2417
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 450 | Tempe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
32.4%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
12.5%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Vegas
19.5%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
17.0%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.6%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.4% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.5% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 18.3% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Las Vegas +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
Tempe
9.3 in
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 71.3°F | Las Vegas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 5.1 in | 9.3 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Vegas
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Vegas
27.7 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, while las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $426,069. On public safety, Tempe is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Las Vegas. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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