North Las Vegas NV vs Salem OR — 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%

Salem, OR

Oregon · Population: 176,666

  • Median HH Income$71,900
  • Median Home Price$438,754
  • Unemployment5.3%
  • Bachelor's+31.4%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
North Las Vegas
186,178
North Las Vegas +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Las Vegas
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
North Las Vegas
39.0
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
North Las Vegas
26.0%
North Las Vegas +
Salem
12.2%
White
North Las Vegas
43.6%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
North Las Vegas
11.3%
North Las Vegas +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
North Las Vegas
11.4%
North Las Vegas +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
North Las Vegas
34.6%
North Las Vegas +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
North Las Vegas
N/A
Salem
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
North Las Vegas
$58,874
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
North Las Vegas
$35,069
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Las Vegas
$62,696
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
North Las Vegas
9.4%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
North Las Vegas
16.8%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Las Vegas
23.9%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Las Vegas
$407,146
North Las Vegas +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
North Las Vegas
41.2%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Las Vegas
460
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Las Vegas
2417
North Las Vegas +
Salem
3001

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
33.8%
North Las Vegas +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
12.2%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Las Vegas
20.7%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
19.6%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
15.6%
North Las Vegas +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
16.1%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Las Vegas
68.8°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Las Vegas
4.7 in
North Las Vegas +
Salem
39.7 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
North Las Vegas +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Las Vegas
75.0%
North Las Vegas +
Salem
55.0%

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Las Vegas
24.6 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +

Which City is Right for You?

Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while north Las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $407,146. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in North Las Vegas. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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%.

Compare More Cities

About North Las Vegas & Salem