City comparison
No. Las Vegas's crime index is 138 versus 183 in Oklahoma City, and its violent crime index is 122 versus 197, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Oklahoma City is cheaper. Median rent is $1,130 a month versus $1,563 in Las Vegas.
The cost gap between Oklahoma City and Las Vegas is the real story here. Oklahoma City comes in 28% cheaper on typical rent ($1,130 vs $1,563), which over a year adds up to $5,196. Median household income runs $68,656 in Oklahoma City and $73,877 in Las Vegas.
This is a genuine split. Oklahoma City wins on cost of living and Las Vegas wins on the job market and safety. 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. Oklahoma City at $1,130 average has pockets that run $930 and others at $1,530: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Oklahoma City and Las Vegas are 987 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City to $1,563 a month in Las Vegas, up $433 a month (38%).
Median household income goes from $68,656 in Oklahoma City to $73,877 in Las Vegas, up $5,221 (8%).
The crime index goes from 183 in Oklahoma City to 138 in Las Vegas, down 45 points (25%).
The move
Las Vegas and Oklahoma City are 987 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,563 a month in Las Vegas to $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City, down $433 a month (28%).
Median household income goes from $73,877 in Las Vegas to $68,656 in Oklahoma City, down $5,221 (7%).
The crime index goes from 138 in Las Vegas to 183 in Oklahoma City, up 45 points (33%).
Oklahoma City, OK
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Las Vegas, NV
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Oklahoma City and Las Vegas? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
28% cheaper
Oklahoma City rent is 28% cheaper than Las Vegas
Oklahoma City
Winner$1,130/mo
Las Vegas
$1,563/mo
Typical rent runs $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City versus $1,563 in Las Vegas, so Oklahoma City is 28% cheaper. That's roughly $433/month back in your pocket ($5,196/year). Over five years that's $25,980 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 Las Vegas, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Oklahoma City 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
8% higher
Las Vegas's median income is 8% higher than Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
$68,656
Las Vegas
Winner$73,877
Median household income is $73,877 in Las Vegas versus $68,656 in Oklahoma City, so typical pay runs 8% higher in Las Vegas (about $5,221 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
25% lower crime
Las Vegas's crime index is 25% lower than Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
183 (100 = avg)
Las Vegas
Winner138 (100 = avg)
Las Vegas's crime index is 138 versus 183 in Oklahoma City (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 25% lower in Las Vegas. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Las Vegas is the easier city. Oklahoma City can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Oklahoma City and Las Vegas are about even on typical weather.
Oklahoma City
68°F avg · 79°F highs · comfort 100/100
Las Vegas
74°F avg · 80°F highs · comfort 100/100
Oklahoma City averages about 68°F (79°F highs); Las Vegas averages about 74°F (80°F highs). Oklahoma City sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Las Vegas sits near 74°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
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 28% cheaper here at about $1,130 a month. Choose Oklahoma City if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Las Vegas is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 8% higher here ($73,877). Start with Las Vegas if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
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 25% lower than Oklahoma City (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.
Bottom line
Rent is the clearest fork: Oklahoma City at $1,130/month versus $1,563 in Las Vegas ($433 apart). Las Vegas median income is $73,877 against $68,656 in Oklahoma City, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Oklahoma City rent at $1,130/month is still below Las Vegas's $1,563, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $73,877 in Las Vegas versus $68,656 in Oklahoma City.
If housing cost drives your move, Oklahoma City is the stronger match ($1,130/month rent against $1,563). If an employer or family tie already points to Las Vegas, treat $1,563/month rent and $73,877 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Oklahoma City and Las Vegas, plus other cities in OK and NV.
