North Las Vegas NV vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Las Vegas
186,178
North Las Vegas +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Las Vegas
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
North Las Vegas
39.0
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
North Las Vegas
26.0%
North Las Vegas +
Waco
9.8%
White
North Las Vegas
43.6%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
North Las Vegas
11.3%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
North Las Vegas
11.4%
North Las Vegas +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
North Las Vegas
34.6%
North Las Vegas +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
North Las Vegas
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,178 | 141,925 | North Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 26.0% | 9.8% | North Las Vegas + |
| White | 43.6% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 11.3% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 2.0% | North Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 34.6% | 29.9% | North Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Las Vegas
$58,874
North Las Vegas +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
North Las Vegas
$35,069
North Las Vegas +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Las Vegas
$62,696
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
North Las Vegas
9.4%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
North Las Vegas
16.8%
North Las Vegas +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
North Las Vegas
23.9%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,874 | $51,468 | North Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,069 | $28,819 | North Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 24.0% | North Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.9% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Las Vegas
$407,146
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
North Las Vegas
41.2%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $407,146 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Las Vegas
460
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Las Vegas
2417
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
33.8%
North Las Vegas +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
12.2%
North Las Vegas +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Las Vegas
20.7%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
19.6%
North Las Vegas +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
15.6%
North Las Vegas +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
16.1%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 36.8% | North Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.0% | North Las Vegas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 20.4% | North Las Vegas + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.2% | North Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Las Vegas
68.8°F
Waco
66.6°F
Waco +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Las Vegas
4.7 in
North Las Vegas +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.8°F | 66.6°F | Waco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 4.7 in | 36.4 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 +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Las Vegas
75.0%
North Las Vegas +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | North Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | North Las Vegas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Las Vegas
24.6 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Las Vegas leads in median household income at $58,874, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in North Las Vegas. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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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