Boston MA vs North Las Vegas NV — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
North Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 186,178
- Median HH Income$58,874
- Median Home Price$407,146
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+23.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boston
663,972
Boston +
North Las Vegas
186,178
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
North Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Boston +
North Las Vegas
39.0
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
North Las Vegas
26.0%
White
Boston
47.8%
Boston +
North Las Vegas
43.6%
Black
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
North Las Vegas
11.3%
Asian
Boston
10.0%
North Las Vegas
11.4%
North Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
North Las Vegas
34.6%
North Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
North Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 186,178 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 39.0 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 26.0% | Boston + |
| White | 47.8% | 43.6% | Boston + |
| Black | 21.5% | 11.3% | Boston + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 11.4% | North Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 34.6% | North Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
North Las Vegas
$58,874
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
North Las Vegas
$35,069
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
North Las Vegas
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
Boston +
North Las Vegas
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
North Las Vegas
16.8%
North Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
North Las Vegas
23.9%
| Metric | Boston, MA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $58,874 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $35,069 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $62,696 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 9.4% | Boston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 16.8% | North Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 23.9% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
North Las Vegas
$407,146
North Las Vegas +
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
North Las Vegas
41.2%
North Las Vegas +
| Metric | Boston, MA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $407,146 | North Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 41.2% | North Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Boston +
North Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Boston +
North Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Boston, MA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 460 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2417 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
North Las Vegas
33.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Boston +
North Las Vegas
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
Boston +
North Las Vegas
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
North Las Vegas
19.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
North Las Vegas
15.6%
North Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Boston +
North Las Vegas
16.1%
| Metric | Boston, MA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 33.8% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 12.2% | Boston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 20.7% | Boston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 19.6% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 15.6% | North Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 16.1% | Boston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
Boston +
North Las Vegas
68.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
North Las Vegas
4.7 in
North Las Vegas +
| Metric | Boston, MA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5°F | 68.8°F | Boston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.8 in | 4.7 in | North Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
North Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
North Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
North Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boston, MA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | North Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boston
33.1 min
North Las Vegas
24.6 min
North Las Vegas +
| Metric | Boston, MA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 24.6 min | North Las Vegas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, while north Las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $407,146. On public safety, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in North Las Vegas. Boston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and North Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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