City comparison
Yes. Las Vegas's crime index is 138 versus 143 in Anaheim, and its violent crime index is 122 versus 165, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Las Vegas is cheaper. Median rent is $1,563 a month versus $2,175 in Anaheim.
The income gap between Las Vegas and Anaheim is significant: $73,877 median household versus $95,227. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,563 in Las Vegas and $2,175 in Anaheim.
This is a genuine split. Las Vegas wins on cost of living and safety and Anaheim wins on the job market. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Las Vegas at $1,563 average has pockets that run $1,363 and others at $1,963: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Las Vegas and Anaheim are 225 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,563 a month in Las Vegas to $2,175 a month in Anaheim, up $612 a month (39%).
Median household income goes from $73,877 in Las Vegas to $95,227 in Anaheim, up $21,350 (29%).
The crime index goes from 138 in Las Vegas to 143 in Anaheim, up 5 points (4%).
The move
Anaheim and Las Vegas are 225 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,175 a month in Anaheim to $1,563 a month in Las Vegas, down $612 a month (28%).
Median household income goes from $95,227 in Anaheim to $73,877 in Las Vegas, down $21,350 (22%).
The crime index goes from 143 in Anaheim to 138 in Las Vegas, down 5 points (3%).
Las Vegas, NV
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Anaheim, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Las Vegas and Anaheim? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
28% cheaper
Las Vegas rent is 28% cheaper than Anaheim
Las Vegas
Winner$1,563/mo
Anaheim
$2,175/mo
Typical rent runs $1,563 a month in Las Vegas versus $2,175 in Anaheim, so Las Vegas is 28% cheaper. That's roughly $612/month back in your pocket ($7,344/year). Over five years that's $36,720 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Anaheim, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Las Vegas is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Las Vegas? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
29% higher
Anaheim's median income is 29% higher than Las Vegas
Las Vegas
$73,877
Anaheim
Winner$95,227
Median household income is $95,227 in Anaheim versus $73,877 in Las Vegas, so typical pay runs 29% higher in Anaheim (about $21,350 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Anaheim is the stronger labor market on paper. Las Vegas can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
3% lower crime
Las Vegas's crime index is 3% lower than Anaheim
Las Vegas
Winner138 (100 = avg)
Anaheim
143 (100 = avg)
Las Vegas's crime index is 138 versus 143 in Anaheim (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 3% lower in Las Vegas. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Las Vegas, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Anaheim. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Las Vegas and Anaheim are about even on typical weather.
Las Vegas
75°F avg · 80°F highs · comfort 100/100
Anaheim
76°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Las Vegas averages about 75°F (80°F highs); Anaheim averages about 76°F (83°F highs). Las Vegas sits near 75°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Anaheim sits near 76°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Las Vegas is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 28% cheaper here at about $1,563 a month. Choose Las Vegas if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Las Vegas is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 3% lower than Anaheim (138 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Anaheim is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 29% higher here ($95,227). Start with Anaheim if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
On rent alone, Las Vegas undercuts Anaheim by $612/month ($1,563 vs $2,175). I would not pick Anaheim on housing cost without a job that clears that spread.
Las Vegas rent at $1,563/month is still below Anaheim's $2,175, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 50/100 in Las Vegas and 49/100 in Anaheim.
Las Vegas is the default on housing cost at $1,563/month versus $2,175 in Anaheim; Anaheim stays in play when $95,227 local pay or an existing job offer outweighs the $612 lease gap.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Las Vegas and Anaheim, plus other cities in NV and CA.
