Las Vegas NV vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Wilmington
250,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Vegas
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Las Vegas
38.5
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Las Vegas
49.2%
Las Vegas +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Las Vegas
11.9%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Las Vegas
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,873 | 250,887 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 10.7% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 49.2% | 48.7% | Las Vegas + |
| Black | 11.9% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 2.3% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 34.1% | 17.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Vegas
$62,696
Las Vegas +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Las Vegas
7.2%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Vegas
27.3%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,723 | $57,673 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,421 | $35,074 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $59,120 | Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 17.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Vegas
$426,069
Wilmington
$419,326
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $426,069 | $419,326 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 54.6% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
460
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
2417
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
32.4%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
12.5%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Vegas
19.5%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
17.0%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.6%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.4% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.5% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 17.5% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Wilmington
63.8°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 63.8°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 5.1 in | 58.4 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Vegas
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Vegas
27.7 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $419,326. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Las Vegas. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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