Las Vegas NV vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Vegas
650,873
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Vegas
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Las Vegas
38.5
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
Washington
13.3%
White
Las Vegas
49.2%
Las Vegas +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Las Vegas
11.9%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Las Vegas
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,873 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 13.3% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 49.2% | 39.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Black | 11.9% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 4.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 34.1% | 11.6% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Vegas
$70,723
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Las Vegas
$38,421
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Vegas
$62,696
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Las Vegas
7.2%
Washington
6.5%
Washington +
Poverty Rate
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Vegas
27.3%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,723 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,421 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 6.5% | Washington + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 14.5% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Vegas
$426,069
Las Vegas +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $426,069 | $580,173 | Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 41.1% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
460
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
2417
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
32.4%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
12.5%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Vegas
19.5%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
17.0%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.6%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.4% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.5% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 24.0% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Vegas
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 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 +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 32.8 min | Las Vegas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $426,069. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Las Vegas. Washington has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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