North Las Vegas NV vs Palmdale CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026

Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)

North Las Vegas, NV

Nevada · Population: 186,178

  • Median HH Income$58,874
  • Median Home Price$407,146
  • Unemployment9.4%
  • Bachelor's+23.9%

Palmdale, CA

California · Population: 44,998

  • Median HH Income$71,979
  • Median Home Price$503,393
  • Unemployment8.2%
  • Bachelor's+45.1%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
North Las Vegas
186,178
North Las Vegas +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Las Vegas
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
North Las Vegas
39.0
North Las Vegas +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
North Las Vegas
26.0%
North Las Vegas +
Palmdale
17.2%
White
North Las Vegas
43.6%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
North Las Vegas
11.3%
North Las Vegas +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
North Las Vegas
11.4%
North Las Vegas +
Palmdale
4.5%
Hispanic
North Las Vegas
34.6%
North Las Vegas +
Palmdale
24.3%
Spanish at Home
North Las Vegas
N/A
Palmdale
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
North Las Vegas
$58,874
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Per Capita Income
North Las Vegas
$35,069
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Las Vegas
$62,696
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
North Las Vegas
9.4%
Palmdale
8.2%
Palmdale +
Poverty Rate
North Las Vegas
16.8%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Las Vegas
23.9%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Las Vegas
$407,146
North Las Vegas +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
North Las Vegas
41.2%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Las Vegas
460
North Las Vegas +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Las Vegas
2417
Palmdale
2388
Palmdale +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
33.8%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
12.2%
North Las Vegas +
Palmdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Las Vegas
20.7%
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
19.6%
Palmdale
15.7%
Palmdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
15.6%
North Las Vegas +
Palmdale
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
16.1%
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Las Vegas
68.8°F
Palmdale
63.5°F
Palmdale +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Las Vegas
4.7 in
North Las Vegas +
Palmdale
7.4 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
North Las Vegas +
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Las Vegas
75.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Las Vegas
24.6 min
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +

Which City is Right for You?

Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, while north Las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $407,146. On public safety, North Las Vegas is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Palmdale has a lower unemployment rate at 8.2%, and North Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.

Compare More Cities

About North Las Vegas & Palmdale