Gainesville FL vs Henderson NV — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Henderson, NV
Nevada · Population: 324,523
- Median HH Income$88,654
- Median Home Price$487,098
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gainesville
143,611
Henderson
324,523
Henderson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Henderson
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Henderson
42.5
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Henderson
14.1%
Henderson +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Henderson
64.7%
Henderson +
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Henderson
6.2%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Henderson
9.5%
Henderson +
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Henderson
18.3%
Henderson +
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Henderson
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 324,523 | Henderson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 42.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 14.1% | Henderson + |
| White | 59.2% | 64.7% | Henderson + |
| Black | 21.6% | 6.2% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 9.5% | Henderson + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 18.3% | Henderson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Henderson
$88,654
Henderson +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Henderson
$49,141
Henderson +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Henderson
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Henderson
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Henderson
8.4%
Henderson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Henderson
36.8%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $88,654 | Henderson + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $49,141 | Henderson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $62,696 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.7% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 8.4% | Henderson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 36.8% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Henderson
$487,098
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Henderson
65.6%
Henderson +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $487,098 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 65.6% | Henderson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Henderson
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Henderson
2417
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 460 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2417 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Henderson
28.9%
Henderson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Henderson
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Henderson
17.5%
Henderson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Henderson
10.3%
Henderson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Henderson
15.6%
Henderson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Henderson
12.8%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 28.9% | Henderson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 10.9% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 17.5% | Henderson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.3% | Henderson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.6% | Henderson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.8% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Henderson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Henderson
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Henderson
5.2 µg/m³
Henderson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Henderson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Henderson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Henderson
26.0 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 26.0 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Henderson leads in median household income at $88,654, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Henderson. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Henderson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Henderson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.9%.
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