City comparison
No. Henderson's crime index is 85 versus 162 in Austin, and its violent crime index is 72 versus 130, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Austin is cheaper. Median rent is $1,729 a month versus $1,824 in Henderson.
Safety is where Austin and Henderson split most clearly. Henderson scores 77 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,729 in Austin and $1,824 in Henderson.
This is a genuine split. Austin wins on cost of living and the job market and Henderson wins on safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The crime gap is citywide. Henderson has rougher pockets and Austin has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Austin and Henderson are 1,072 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,729 a month in Austin to $1,824 a month in Henderson, up $95 a month (5%).
Median household income goes from $93,658 in Austin to $90,138 in Henderson, down $3,520 (4%).
The crime index goes from 162 in Austin to 85 in Henderson, down 77 points (48%).
The move
Henderson and Austin are 1,072 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,824 a month in Henderson to $1,729 a month in Austin, down $95 a month (5%).
Median household income goes from $90,138 in Henderson to $93,658 in Austin, up $3,520 (4%).
The crime index goes from 85 in Henderson to 162 in Austin, up 77 points (91%).
Austin, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Henderson, NV
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Austin and Henderson? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
5% cheaper
Austin rent is 5% cheaper than Henderson
Austin
Winner$1,729/mo
Henderson
$1,824/mo
Typical rent runs $1,729 a month in Austin versus $1,824 in Henderson, so Austin is 5% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $95, or $1,140 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Austin? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
4% higher
Austin's median income is 4% higher than Henderson
Austin
Winner$93,658
Henderson
$90,138
Median household income is $93,658 in Austin versus $90,138 in Henderson, so typical pay runs 4% higher in Austin (about $3,520 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
48% lower crime
Henderson's crime index is 48% lower than Austin
Austin
162 (100 = avg)
Henderson
Winner85 (100 = avg)
Henderson's crime index is 85 versus 162 in Austin (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 48% lower in Henderson. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Henderson is the easier city. Austin can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Austin and Henderson are about even on typical weather.
Austin
68°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100
Henderson
74°F avg · 82°F highs · comfort 100/100
Austin averages about 68°F (76°F highs); Henderson averages about 74°F (82°F highs). Austin sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Henderson sits near 74°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Austin is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 5% cheaper here at about $1,729 a month. Choose Austin if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Austin is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 4% higher here ($93,658). Start with Austin if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Henderson is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 48% lower than Austin (85 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Safety is the widest gap: Henderson scores 65/100 versus 45/100 in Austin. Rent is $1,824/month in Henderson and $1,729/month in Austin, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
With only $95 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Typical rent stays $1,729 in Austin and $1,824 in Henderson.
Between Austin and Henderson, Henderson is ahead on safety — 65/100 safety versus 45/100. Lean Austin instead when you already know the Austin block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
Ready to move to Austin?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Austin when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Austin and Henderson, plus other cities in TX and NV.
