Houston, Texas and Las Vegas, Nevada are two dynamic cities that offer unique lifestyles, contrasting significantly on many factors. While Houston is a massive, diverse metropolis with a strong economy buoyed by energy, health care, and aerospace industries, Las Vegas is a world-renowned gaming and entertainment center in the middle of a desert. Here's an examination of the two cities across various factors to help provide insight for individuals considering relocation or a visit.
Distance between
Houston, TX and
Las Vegas, NV : 1,229.8 miles
Houston's population is larger by 254%. Its population has grown by 334,619 people (17.1%) since 2000. The population of Las Vegas has grown by 168,356 people (35.2%) during that time.
When comparing Houston and Las Vegas, both cities have higher crime rates than the national average—however, Houston's rate is slightly higher than Las Vegas's. Tourists and residents alike should practice caution and be aware of their surroundings in both cities, especially at night or in less populated areas.
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
Sex Offenders
According to our data, there are 7,864 registered sex offenders living in Houston and 4,784 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Houston is 293 to 1; the ratio in Las Vegas is 132 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is a smaller in Houston than in Las Vegas.
Cost of Living
Both cities have an affordability advantage compared to many other major cities. However, Houston's cost of living is slightly lower overall when considering housing, groceries, utilities, and transportation. Las Vegas has a higher cost, primarily because of its higher housing cost.
Income Tax
Both Texas and Nevada do not have state income tax, which can save residents money annually and make these cities attractive for relocation.
Property Tax
While neither state imposes income tax, they make up for it in other ways. Texas—thus, Houston—has one of the highest property tax rates in the country. Nevada’s property taxes are considerably lower, making Las Vegas potentially more attractive for property owners.
Sales Tax
Nevada's state sales tax is higher than Texas's, and Las Vegas also imposes a local sales tax. On the other hand, Houston levies a city sales tax in addition to the state one, resulting in a slightly higher total sales tax compared to Las Vegas.
Income
Type
Houston
Las Vegas
Estimated median household income
$55,499
$59,746
Estimated per capita income
$36,265
$33,825
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
97.2
99.1
If you make $50,000 in Houston, you will have to make $50,977 in Las Vegas to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Houston is located near the Gulf of Mexico, providing opportunities for water sports and beach activities. Las Vegas is set in a desert with nearby access to hiking in Red Rock Canyon and boating on Lake Mead.
In terms of education, both cities host a number of public and private schools and universities. Houston stands out with its prestigious universities like Rice University and the University of Houston. Las Vegas has a higher student-to-teacher ratio than Houston, affecting class sizes and potentially the quality of education.
Houston's economy is diverse, with strong sectors in energy, health care, manufacturing, and aeronautics. Las Vegas's economy heavily depends on entertainment, tourism, and hospitality industries. Houston, being a larger and more diverse economy, can provide more varied job opportunities.
Biggest Employers
In Houston, some of the biggest employers include the Texas Medical Center, NASA, and Fortune 500 energy companies like Exxon Mobil and ConocoPhillips. In contrast, MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, and Wynn Resorts are major employers in Las Vegas.
There were 7,146 building permits issued in Houston in 2012 (4571 more than in 2011) compared to 2,700 building permits issued in Las Vegas in 2012 (1886 more than in 2011).
In Houston (Harris County), 49.4% voted for Democrats and 49.3% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Las Vegas (Clark County), 56.4% voted for Democrats and 41.8% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Houston
Las Vegas
Houston
Las Vegas
Houston
Las Vegas
2020
56.0%
53.7%
42.7%
44.3%
1.3%
2.0%
2016
54.0%
52.4%
41.6%
41.7%
4.4%
5.8%
2012
49.4%
56.4%
49.3%
41.8%
1.3%
1.8%
2008
50.5%
58.5%
48.9%
39.5%
0.6%
2.0%
2004
44.6%
51.8%
54.9%
46.9%
0.5%
1.3%
2000
43.0%
51.4%
54.4%
44.8%
2.6%
3.8%
1996
45.2%
75.5%
49.2%
18.8%
5.6%
5.7%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Houston
Las Vegas
Houston
Las Vegas
CATHOLIC CHURCH
18.1%
18.1%
3.6%
4.0%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
14.2%
1.6%
26.8%
11.2%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
2.9%
0.1%
1.6%
0.6%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.0%
0.1%
1.4%
1.1%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.7%
0.2%
1.5%
1.2%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.3%
0.4%
1.1%
1.6%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.3%
0.2%
1.7%
1.6%
Weather
Houston's subtropical climate means hot, humid summers and mild winters, while Las Vegas has a desert climate—which means hot summers, cool winters, and very little rainfall. Vegas gets significantly more sun and fewer rainy days compared to Houston.
Weather and climate
Type
Houston
Las Vegas
Temperature - Average
69.7°F
65.5°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
80.3%
30.7%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
36.7%
42%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
92.8%
52%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
56.1%
10%
Precipitation - Yearly average
52.9 in
5.7 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
0.6 in
1.6 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
15%
35.1%
Sunshine amount - Average
60.4%
91.8%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
24%
16%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
67%
92%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
43%
76%
Wind speed - Average
8.2 mph
9.2 mph
Average climate in Houston, Texas
Average climate in Las Vegas, Nevada
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Houston
Las Vegas
Houston
Las Vegas
Houston
Las Vegas
Houston
Las Vegas
Houston
Las Vegas
Houston
Las Vegas
Houston
Las Vegas
2018
102
100
0.19
0.42
9.2
13.1
21.5
37.2
N/A
N/A
24.4
N/A
10.0
6.0
0.3
0.7
2017
96
101
0.16
0.29
9.4
13.0
23.1
38.5
N/A
N/A
20.3
N/A
9.1
7.3
0.3
0.8
2016
91
97
0.16
0.38
10.4
11.2
22.7
36.5
N/A
N/A
20.6
N/A
8.6
8.7
0.2
0.8
2015
109
92
0.15
0.36
10.1
12.4
21.7
35.6
N/A
N/A
18.9
N/A
9.9
8.4
0.2
1.2
2014
98
91
0.24
0.40
10.4
10.8
21.8
36.5
N/A
N/A
21.1
N/A
10.2
9.2
0.3
1.4
2013
106
103
0.25
0.45
11.1
9.6
23.0
36.9
N/A
N/A
22.1
N/A
10.6
8.6
0.4
1.5
2012
115
94
0.25
0.49
11.6
5.9
23.8
38.5
N/A
N/A
21.5
N/A
11.1
8.3
0.5
1.4
2011
118
85
0.27
0.40
10.8
5.3
24.6
37.5
N/A
N/A
18.2
N/A
11.5
7.8
0.8
1.2
2010
110
86
0.25
0.50
12.8
5.7
22.8
36.6
N/A
N/A
16.1
N/A
11.4
7.1
1.1
N/A
2009
115
87
0.21
0.56
10.5
6.0
22.1
33.3
N/A
N/A
20.9
N/A
11.4
8.3
1.0
N/A
2008
105
82
0.30
0.66
13.1
8.2
22.1
33.0
0.006
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.4
9.2
1.3
N/A
2007
119
97
0.31
0.61
15.2
11.7
20.5
32.4
0.006
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.5
8.6
1.9
0.1
2006
134
102
0.32
0.75
14.6
13.4
22.3
32.7
0.006
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.0
8.3
2.3
0.8
2005
126
100
0.42
0.76
16.3
15.1
22.8
30.2
0.005
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.9
7.8
3.5
5.3
2004
137
85
0.44
0.71
17.7
16.0
20.4
30.6
0.010
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.2
1.6
2003
146
99
0.62
0.67
17.0
15.9
20.9
29.8
0.009
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.2
1.0
2002
128
94
0.55
0.73
16.1
15.7
19.7
30.6
0.007
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.7
0.7
2001
147
95
0.44
0.76
18.4
15.0
19.6
29.4
0.008
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.5
1.1
2000
136
95
0.50
0.88
17.0
14.7
22.0
29.7
0.008
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.1
0.4
Natural disasters
Type
Houston
Las Vegas
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
187.3%
2.1%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
63.9%
6,093.4%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
32%
12%
Transportation
Houston has MetroRail and a comprehensive bus system. Traffic can be heavy during peak hours. Las Vegas has a monorail system and buses, and less traffic compared to Houston's. Both cities are designed for car travel with expansive freeway systems.
Transport
Type
Houston
Las Vegas
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
2
1
FAA registered aircraft
1
1
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
44
81
Means of transportation to work
Type
Houston
Las Vegas
Bicycle
0.5%
0.1%
Bus
2.4%
2.2%
Carpooled
11.1%
10.3%
Car alone
81.2%
82.7%
Motorcycle
0.1%
0.4%
Railroad
0.1%
0%
Taxicab
0.1%
0%
Walked
1.6%
1.4%
Average travel time to work
Type
Houston
Las Vegas
Average
32 min
26.3 min
Other means
27.1 min
24 min
Public transportation
47.6 min
49.9 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Houston
Las Vegas
Average
1.2
1.2
Drove alone
86.4%
88.9%
In 2 person carpool
9.7%
8.2%
In 3 person carpool
2.4%
2.1%
In 4 person carpool
0.9%
0.2%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.4%
0.4%
In 7+ person carpool
0.3%
0.2%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Real estate in Houston tends to be cheaper than in Las Vegas. Houston offers a variety of options from urban lofts to suburban homes, while Las Vegas has a variety of homes, apartments, and condos, many with stunning desert views.
Neighborhoods
Both cities have diverse neighborhoods. Houston has trendy districts like Montrose and historic ones like The Heights, whereas Las Vegas features both classic neighborhoods like Summerlin and those showcasing high-rise luxury living on the Las Vegas Strip.
Houses and residents
Type
Houston
Las Vegas
Houses
1,028,763
269,602
Average household size (people)
2.6
2.7
Median year apartment built
1985
1991
Median year house/condo built
1976
1995
Length of stay in the house since moving in
14.4 years
10.1 years
Houses occupied
924,981 (89.9%)
250,350 (92.9%)
Houses occupied by owners
390,226 (42.2%)
138,677 (55.4%)
Houses occupied by renters
534,755 (57.8%)
111,673 (44.6%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,323
$1,176
Median monthly housing costs
$1,134
$1,255
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$334,556
$989,410
Estimated median house or condo value
$236,700
$362,400
Median numbers of rooms
4.4
5.2
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.5
4.1
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.1
6.1
Median house price - detached houses
$348,048
$439,169
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$232,228
$161,204
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$205,330
$201,871
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$297,061
$327,174
Median house price - mobile homes
$68,903
$113,235
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$299,072
$274,961
Median house price - All housing units
$337,365
$417,434
Median house age
40
27
Renting percentage
54.6%
43.5%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,775.5
2,379.4
House value disparities
40.9%
27.1%
Household income disparities
49%
47.1%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$109,539
$90,388
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$65,707
$62,287
Housing units without a mortgage
4,386 (2.1%)
1,172 (1.2%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
7,696 (3.6%)
4,450 (4.6%)
Housing units with a mortgage
207,809 (97.9%)
95,992 (98.8%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
421 (0.2%)
178 (0.2%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
11,969 (5.6%)
5,092 (5.2%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
13
7
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
2
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
2.4%
1.3%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
1.5%
1%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Houston
Las Vegas
One, detached
43.2%
61.5%
One, attached
4.8%
5.3%
Two
2.2%
1.3%
3 or 4
4.4%
7.7%
5 to 9
7.1%
8.4%
10 to 19
10.9%
4.8%
20 to 49
7.7%
2.8%
50 or more
18.6%
6.8%
Mobile homes
0.9%
1.4%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.1%
0.1%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
75,956
18,990
State government workers
38,359
6,950
Unpaid family workers
2,429
614
Industries and Occupations
Energy, healthcare, and aerospace dominate Houston's industries while hospitality, tourism, and entertainment are the main industries in Las Vegas. The job market in both cities is favorably competitive, but Houston offers a wider range of job opportunities across more industries.
Houston is renowned for outstanding healthcare, largely due to the presence of the Texas Medical Center. Las Vegas also has good healthcare facilities with a rapidly growing healthcare sector.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Houston
Las Vegas
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Houston's infrastructure includes a vast network of highways and the largest medical center in the world. Comparatively, Las Vegas's infrastructure centers on tourism, boasting numerous hotels, casinos, and entertainment venues. Both cities have international airports.
Infrastructure
Type
Houston
Las Vegas
Hospitals
156
39
TV stations
26
12
Arenas or stadiums
6
2
Bank branches located here
755
281
Bank institutions located here
81
34
Main business address for public companies
197
57
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
49
32
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Houston
Las Vegas
1999
9,163
2,657
2000
0
579
2001
0
371
2002
0
380
2003
8,173
3,590
2004
11,803
5,908
2005
15,127
7,894
2006
16,911
6,914
2007
10,643
3,733
2008
4,410
1,431
2009
2,279
813
Culture and Food
Houston boasts a culturally diverse food scene, world-renowned museums, and a vibrant arts district. Las Vegas doesn't only offer casinos but also hosts celebrity chef restaurants, an array of live entertainment options, and numerous high-profile events.
Sports Teams
Houston is home to four major sports teams: the Astros (MLB), Texans (NFL), Rockets(NBA), and Dynamo (MLS). Conversely, Las Vegas has the Raiders (NFL), Golden Knights (NHL), and Aces (WNBA).
Houston, TX
Las Vegas, NV
Houston, TX and 
Las Vegas, NV : 1,229.8 miles
