North Las Vegas NV vs Riverside 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Las Vegas
186,178
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Las Vegas
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
North Las Vegas
39.0
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
North Las Vegas
26.0%
North Las Vegas +
Riverside
22.4%
White
North Las Vegas
43.6%
North Las Vegas +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
North Las Vegas
11.3%
North Las Vegas +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
North Las Vegas
11.4%
North Las Vegas +
Riverside
8.3%
Hispanic
North Las Vegas
34.6%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
North Las Vegas
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,178 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 26.0% | 22.4% | North Las Vegas + |
| White | 43.6% | 39.2% | North Las Vegas + |
| Black | 11.3% | 6.0% | North Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 8.3% | North Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 34.6% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Las Vegas
$58,874
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
North Las Vegas
$35,069
North Las Vegas +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Las Vegas
$62,696
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
North Las Vegas
9.4%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Poverty Rate
North Las Vegas
16.8%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Las Vegas
23.9%
Riverside
25.7%
Riverside +
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,874 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,069 | $33,716 | North Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.9% | 25.7% | Riverside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Las Vegas
$407,146
North Las Vegas +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
North Las Vegas
41.2%
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $407,146 | $648,603 | North Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 56.3% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Las Vegas
460
North Las Vegas +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Las Vegas
2417
Riverside
2388
Riverside +
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 503 | North Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 2388 | Riverside + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
33.8%
North Las Vegas +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
12.2%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Las Vegas
20.7%
Riverside
18.5%
Riverside +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
19.6%
Riverside
13.6%
Riverside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
15.6%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
16.1%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 36.7% | North Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 18.5% | Riverside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 13.6% | Riverside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Las Vegas
68.8°F
Riverside
66.8°F
Riverside +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Las Vegas
4.7 in
North Las Vegas +
Riverside
10.3 in
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.8°F | 66.8°F | Riverside + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 4.7 in | 10.3 in | North Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
North Las Vegas +
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Las Vegas
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | North Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Las Vegas
24.6 min
North Las Vegas +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 34.1 min | North Las Vegas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, 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 Riverside. Riverside 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, North Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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