Las Vegas NV vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Vegas
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Las Vegas
38.5
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
Waco
9.8%
White
Las Vegas
49.2%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Las Vegas
11.9%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Las Vegas
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,873 | 141,925 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 9.8% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 49.2% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 11.9% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 2.0% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 34.1% | 29.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Vegas
$62,696
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Las Vegas
7.2%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Vegas
27.3%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,723 | $51,468 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,421 | $28,819 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 24.0% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Vegas
$426,069
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $426,069 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 48.9% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
460
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
2417
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
12.5%
Las Vegas +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Vegas
19.5%
Las Vegas +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
17.0%
Las Vegas +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.6%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.4% | 36.8% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 13.0% | Las Vegas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.5% | 20.4% | Las Vegas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 20.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 16.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Waco
66.6°F
Waco +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 66.6°F | Waco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 5.1 in | 36.4 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Vegas
75.0%
Las Vegas +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 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
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Las Vegas. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Las Vegas, NV vs New York, NYLas Vegas, NV vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Las Vegas, NVHouston, TX vs Las Vegas, NVLas Vegas, NV vs Phoenix, AZLas Vegas, NV vs Philadelphia, PA