Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
North Las Vegas
186,178
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
North Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
North Las Vegas
39.0
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
North Las Vegas
26.0%
White
Houston
35.5%
North Las Vegas
43.6%
North Las Vegas +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
North Las Vegas
11.3%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
North Las Vegas
11.4%
North Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
North Las Vegas
34.6%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
North Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 186,178 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 39.0 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 26.0% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 43.6% | North Las Vegas + |
| Black | 22.9% | 11.3% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 11.4% | North Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 34.6% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
North Las Vegas
$58,874
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
North Las Vegas
$35,069
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
North Las Vegas
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
North Las Vegas
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
North Las Vegas
16.8%
North Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
North Las Vegas
23.9%
| Metric | Houston, TX | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $58,874 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $35,069 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $62,696 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 9.4% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 16.8% | North Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 23.9% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
North Las Vegas
$407,146
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Houston +
North Las Vegas
41.2%
| Metric | Houston, TX | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $407,146 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 41.2% | Houston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
North Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
North Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Houston, TX | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 460 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2417 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
North Las Vegas
33.8%
North Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
North Las Vegas
12.2%
North Las Vegas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
North Las Vegas
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
North Las Vegas
19.6%
North Las Vegas +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
North Las Vegas
15.6%
North Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
North Las Vegas
16.1%
| Metric | Houston, TX | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 33.8% | North Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.2% | North Las Vegas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 20.7% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 19.6% | North Las Vegas + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.6% | North Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 16.1% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
North Las Vegas
68.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
North Las Vegas
4.7 in
North Las Vegas +
| Metric | Houston, TX | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 4.7 in | North Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
North Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
North Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
North Las Vegas
75.0%
North Las Vegas +
| Metric | Houston, TX | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | North Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | North Las Vegas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
North Las Vegas
24.6 min
North Las Vegas +
| Metric | Houston, TX | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 24.6 min | North Las Vegas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in North Las Vegas. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and North Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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