North Las Vegas NV vs Salinas 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Las Vegas
186,178
North Las Vegas +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Las Vegas
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
North Las Vegas
39.0
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
North Las Vegas
26.0%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
North Las Vegas
43.6%
North Las Vegas +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
North Las Vegas
11.3%
North Las Vegas +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
North Las Vegas
11.4%
North Las Vegas +
Salinas
5.7%
Hispanic
North Las Vegas
34.6%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
North Las Vegas
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,178 | 161,993 | North Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 26.0% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 43.6% | 21.8% | North Las Vegas + |
| Black | 11.3% | 1.4% | North Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 5.7% | North Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 34.6% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Las Vegas
$58,874
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
North Las Vegas
$35,069
North Las Vegas +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Las Vegas
$62,696
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
North Las Vegas
9.4%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
North Las Vegas
16.8%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Las Vegas
23.9%
North Las Vegas +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,874 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,069 | $28,813 | North Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.9% | 15.5% | North Las Vegas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Las Vegas
$407,146
North Las Vegas +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
North Las Vegas
41.2%
Salinas
47.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $407,146 | $751,711 | North Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 47.0% | Salinas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Las Vegas
460
North Las Vegas +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Las Vegas
2417
Salinas
2388
Salinas +
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 503 | North Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 2388 | Salinas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
33.8%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
12.2%
North Las Vegas +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Las Vegas
20.7%
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
19.6%
North Las Vegas +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
15.6%
North Las Vegas +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
16.1%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.4% | North Las Vegas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 18.2% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 22.4% | North Las Vegas + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.8% | North Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Las Vegas
68.8°F
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Las Vegas
4.7 in
North Las Vegas +
Salinas
15.5 in
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.8°F | 57.3°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 4.7 in | 15.5 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 +
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Las Vegas
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Salinas, 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 +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 28.8 min | North Las Vegas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and North Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs North Las Vegas, NVLos Angeles, CA vs North Las Vegas, NVChicago, IL vs North Las Vegas, NVHouston, TX vs North Las Vegas, NVNorth Las Vegas, NV vs Phoenix, AZNorth Las Vegas, NV vs Philadelphia, PA