Las Vegas NV vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Virginia Beach
457,066
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Vegas
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Las Vegas
38.5
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Las Vegas
49.2%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Las Vegas
11.9%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Las Vegas
6.9%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Las Vegas
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,873 | 457,066 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 9.1% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 49.2% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 11.9% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 34.1% | 8.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Vegas
$70,723
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Las Vegas
$38,421
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Vegas
$62,696
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Las Vegas
7.2%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Las Vegas
14.2%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Vegas
27.3%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,723 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,421 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Vegas
$426,069
Las Vegas +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Las Vegas
55.7%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $426,069 | $427,121 | Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
460
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
2417
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
12.5%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Vegas
19.5%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
17.0%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.6%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.4% | 36.5% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.5% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.6% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Virginia Beach, VA | 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 +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Vegas
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Vegas
27.7 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $426,069. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Las Vegas. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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