Las Vegas, NV vs Salt Lake City, UT
Side-by-side comparison · Updated Jun 2026
Report card
| Category | Las VegasLas Vegas, NV | Salt Lake CitySalt Lake City, UT | Same grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| ReloScoreOverall grade | |||
| Affluence | Average | Average | |
| Cost of Living | |||
| Crime | Elevated | Elevated | |
| Education | |||
| Quality of Life | Good | Good | Same |
| Sovereignty | Self-Reliant | Self-Reliant | |
| Strategic | Vulnerable | Exposed |
Grades rate each place against all US places. How grades work →
Comparison summary
At 5.6% unemployment, Las Vegas, NV and Salt Lake City, UT sit far apart on joblessness, with Las Vegas in the 96th percentile and Salt Lake City in the 34th. The gap extends to commuting: Las Vegas averages 25.8 minutes each way versus Salt Lake City’s 19.6 minutes, per 2023 Census figures. Job growth over the past year also differs, with Las Vegas at +2.4% and Salt Lake City at +1.1%.
Household composition and education diverge sharply. Las Vegas’s average household size is 2.6, which is 20% larger than Salt Lake City’s 2.2. Bachelor’s degree attainment among adults stands at 27.3% in Las Vegas, while Salt Lake City reaches 50.9%, a 23.6-point gap that places Salt Lake City in the 81st percentile versus Las Vegas’s 37th. Median age also separates them: 38.5 in Las Vegas versus 33 in Salt Lake City.
The two cities sit at very different distances from borders and coastlines. Las Vegas is 239 miles from an international border, while Salt Lake City is 569 miles, making Salt Lake City 2.4× higher. Similarly, Las Vegas is 237 miles from the coast versus Salt Lake City’s 579 miles. The nearest large city is 0 miles from Las Vegas itself, while Salt Lake City is 580 miles from one, placing it in the 76th percentile.
Taxes and safety show further contrasts. State and local tax burden is 9.6% in Las Vegas versus 12.1% in Salt Lake City, a 2.5-point difference. Violent crime per 100,000 people is 400 in Las Vegas and 857 in Salt Lake City, a 2.1× higher rate for Salt Lake City, which sits in the 97th percentile. Property crime follows a similar pattern at 2,371 versus 4,753.
AI-generated and may contain mistakes. Verify any details that matter before acting on them. Generated Oct 2026.
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Where they differ most
Cost of living
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Salt Lake City, UT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| COL indexCost of living index (100 = US) | 13168th pctl | 14073rd pctl | Cost of living index (100 = US): Las Vegas, NV 131; Salt Lake City, UT 140; Salt Lake City is 7% higher. |
| Home valueMedian home value | $395,30071st pctl | $495,70082nd pctl | Median home value: Las Vegas, NV $395,300; Salt Lake City, UT $495,700; Salt Lake City is 25% higher. |
| Median rent | $1,45668th pctl | $1,34360th pctl | Median rent: Las Vegas, NV $1,456; Salt Lake City, UT $1,343; Las Vegas is 8% higher. |
| Household incomeMedian household income | $70,72347th pctl | $74,92553rd pctl | Median household income: Las Vegas, NV $70,723; Salt Lake City, UT $74,925; Salt Lake City is 6% higher. |
| Comfortable (single)Comfortable income (single) | $76,80072nd pctl | $96,30584th pctl | Comfortable income (single): Las Vegas, NV $76,800; Salt Lake City, UT $96,305; Salt Lake City is 25% higher. |
| Comfortable (family)Comfortable income (family of 4) | $112,89672nd pctl | $141,56984th pctl | Comfortable income (family of 4): Las Vegas, NV $112,896; Salt Lake City, UT $141,569; Salt Lake City is 25% higher. |
| AffordabilityHousing affordability | Stretched | Unaffordable | About the same |
Housing-adjusted salary
the same housing budget in Salt Lake City needs about
$80,200
Based only on local housing costs and incomes (cost-of-living index 131 vs 140). Leaves out taxes, groceries and transport. How it works →
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, ReloMaps cost-of-living index (2023–2024).
Jobs & income
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Salt Lake City, UT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment | 5.6%96th pctl | 3.3%34th pctl | Unemployment: Las Vegas, NV 5.6%; Salt Lake City, UT 3.3%; Las Vegas is 2.3 points higher. |
| Job growthJob growth (YoY) | +2.4%84th pctl | +1.1%50th pctl | Job growth (YoY): Las Vegas, NV +2.4%; Salt Lake City, UT +1.1%; Las Vegas is 1.3 points higher. |
| Per-capita income | $38,42152nd pctl | $49,64277th pctl | Per-capita income: Las Vegas, NV $38,421; Salt Lake City, UT $49,642; Salt Lake City is 29% higher. |
| Poverty rate | 14.2%63rd pctl | 13.4%59th pctl | About the same |
| CommuteAverage commute | 25.8 min66th pctl | 19.6 min25th pctl | Average commute: Las Vegas, NV 25.8 min; Salt Lake City, UT 19.6 min; Las Vegas is 6 minutes longer. |
| Work from home | 10.5%49th pctl | 18.5%80th pctl | Work from home: Las Vegas, NV 10.5%; Salt Lake City, UT 18.5%; Salt Lake City is 8.0 points higher. |
| OpportunityEconomic opportunity | Stable | Stable | About the same |
| Job market | Stable | Strong | Job market: Las Vegas, NV B-; Salt Lake City, UT A-; Salt Lake City is graded higher. |
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, BLS (2023).
Safety
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Salt Lake City, UT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crimeViolent crime per 100k | 40078th pctl | 85797th pctl | Violent crime per 100k: Las Vegas, NV 400; Salt Lake City, UT 857; Salt Lake City is 2.1 times higher. |
| Property crimeProperty crime per 100k | 2,37185th pctl | 4,75399th pctl | Property crime per 100k: Las Vegas, NV 2,371; Salt Lake City, UT 4,753; Salt Lake City is 2.0 times higher. |
| 5-yr trendViolent crime, 5-yr trend | Falling | Falling | |
| Crime & safety | Fair | Dangerous | About the same |
| Traffic safety | Very SafeCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | Very SafeCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | About the same |
Data: FBI Crime Data, NHTSA FARS (2025).
Quality of life
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Salt Lake City, UT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air quality | ModerateCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | GreatCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | About the same |
| HealthcareHealthcare access | StrongCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | ExcellentCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | Healthcare access: Las Vegas, NV B; Salt Lake City, UT A; Salt Lake City is graded higher. |
| Tap water | Poor | Clean | Tap water: Las Vegas, NV F; Salt Lake City, UT A+; Salt Lake City is graded higher. |
| Power grid | ReliableState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | ReliableState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | About the same |
| HomesteadingHomesteading potential | Workable | Prime | Homesteading potential: Las Vegas, NV B-; Salt Lake City, UT A-; Salt Lake City is graded higher. |
| Disaster riskNational disaster risk | High-Risk | High-Risk | About the same |
4 rows not shown (data not available)
4 rows not shown: climate comfort isn't available for Salt Lake City, UT; broadband, walkability and local food access aren't available for either place.
Data: EPA AirData, NOAA NCEI, County Health Rankings, FCC, Geoapify POIs, EPA SDWIS, EIA, OpenStreetMap, FEMA National Risk Index (2022–2024).
Taxes & laws
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Salt Lake City, UT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxes | ModerateState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | PredatoryState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | Taxes: Las Vegas, NV B-; Salt Lake City, UT D; Las Vegas is graded higher. |
| HomeschoolHomeschool rules | lowState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | lowState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| FirearmsFirearm laws grade | A-State figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | A-State figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| Property rightsProperty rights (eminent domain) | B+State figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | BState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| EnergyEnergy production | ImporterState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | Self-sufficientState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. |
Data: Tax Foundation, state statutes.
Strategic location
How exposed each place is to large-scale disruption, based on distance from big cities, likely targets and natural hazards.
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Salt Lake City, UT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large cityNearest large city | 0 mi1st pctl | 580 mi76th pctl | Nearest large city: Las Vegas, NV 0 mi; Salt Lake City, UT 580 mi; Salt Lake City is 580 mi higher. |
| Target proximity | Poor | Poor | Target proximity: Las Vegas, NV F; Salt Lake City, UT D; Salt Lake City is graded higher. |
| To borderDistance to international border | 239 mi29th pctl | 569 mi79th pctl | Distance to international border: Las Vegas, NV 239 mi; Salt Lake City, UT 569 mi; Salt Lake City is 2.4 times higher. |
| To coastDistance to coastline | 237 mi48th pctl | 579 mi75th pctl | Distance to coastline: Las Vegas, NV 237 mi; Salt Lake City, UT 579 mi; Salt Lake City is 2.4 times higher. |
| StrategicStrategic location | Vulnerable | Exposed | Strategic location: Las Vegas, NV D-; Salt Lake City, UT C+; Salt Lake City is graded higher. |
Data: ReloMaps strategic assessment.
People
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Salt Lake City, UT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,87399th pctl | 203,88895th pctl | Population: Las Vegas, NV 650,873; Salt Lake City, UT 203,888; Las Vegas is 3.2 times larger. |
| DensityPopulation density (per sq mi) | 4,58890th pctl | 1,83956th pctl | Population density (per sq mi): Las Vegas, NV 4,588; Salt Lake City, UT 1,839; Las Vegas is 2.5 times higher. |
| Median age | 38.554th pctl | 3315th pctl | Median age: Las Vegas, NV 38.5; Salt Lake City, UT 33; Las Vegas is 5.5 years older. |
| Bachelor's+Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.3%37th pctl | 50.9%81st pctl | Bachelor's degree or higher: Las Vegas, NV 27.3%; Salt Lake City, UT 50.9%; Salt Lake City is 23.6 points higher. |
| Household sizeAverage household size | 2.671st pctl | 2.218th pctl | Average household size: Las Vegas, NV 2.6; Salt Lake City, UT 2.2; Las Vegas is 20% larger. |
More about Las Vegas's residents · Salt Lake City's residents
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year (2023).
Politics
Information only. Not part of any grade, difference or summary on this page.
| Measure | Las VegasLas Vegas, NV | Salt Lake CitySalt Lake City, UT |
|---|---|---|
| Cook PVI | D+2 | R+10 |
| 2024 presidential | D +2.0 pts | R +20.0 pts |
Full politics data: Las Vegas · Salt Lake City
Moving between Las Vegas and Salt Lake City
- Median rent: $1,456 in Las Vegas, $1,343 in Salt Lake City
- Median home value: $395,300 in Las Vegas, $495,700 in Salt Lake City
- Cost of living index (100 = US): 131 in Las Vegas, 140 in Salt Lake City
- Median household income: $70,723 in Las Vegas, $74,925 in Salt Lake City
- Comfortable income (family of 4): $112,896 in Las Vegas, $141,569 in Salt Lake City
- Unemployment: 5.6% in Las Vegas, 3.3% in Salt Lake City
- Average commute: 25.8 min in Las Vegas, 19.6 min in Salt Lake City
- Violent crime per 100k: 400 in Las Vegas, 857 in Salt Lake City
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- Data: Cost of living: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, ReloMaps cost-of-living index (2023–2024).
- Data: Jobs & income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, BLS (2023).
- Data: Safety: FBI Crime Data, NHTSA FARS (2025).
- Data: Quality of life: EPA AirData, NOAA NCEI, County Health Rankings, FCC, Geoapify POIs, EPA SDWIS, EIA, OpenStreetMap, FEMA National Risk Index (2022–2024).
- Data: Taxes & laws: Tax Foundation, state statutes.
- Data: Strategic location: ReloMaps strategic assessment.
- Data: People: U.S. Census ACS 5-year (2023).
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area.
Narrative content on this page is AI-generated and may contain mistakes. Verify any details that matter before acting on them.
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