Las Vegas NV vs Winston-Salem 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Vegas
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Las Vegas
38.5
Winston-Salem
37.5
Winston-Salem +
Foreign Born
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Las Vegas
49.2%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Las Vegas
11.9%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Las Vegas
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,873 | 118,578 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 37.5 | Winston-Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 5.7% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 49.2% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 11.9% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 1.3% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 34.1% | 8.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Las Vegas
$38,421
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Vegas
$62,696
Las Vegas +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Las Vegas
7.2%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Vegas
27.3%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,723 | $63,900 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,421 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $59,120 | Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 16.3% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Vegas
$426,069
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $426,069 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 46.8% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
460
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
2417
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
12.5%
Las Vegas +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Vegas
19.5%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
17.0%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.4%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.6%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.4% | 42.7% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 13.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.5% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Winston-Salem, NC | 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 +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Vegas
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Winston-Salem, 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
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Las Vegas. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, 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