City comparison
No. North Las Vegas's crime index is 110 versus 195 in Fresno, and its violent crime index is 110 versus 211, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Fresno is cheaper. Median rent is $1,421 a month versus $1,705 in North Las Vegas.
Safety is where Fresno and North Las Vegas split most clearly. North Las Vegas scores 85 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,421 in Fresno and $1,705 in North Las Vegas.
This is a genuine split. Fresno wins on cost of living and North Las Vegas wins on the job market and safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Fresno at $1,421 average has pockets that run $1,221 and others at $1,821: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Fresno and North Las Vegas are 261 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,421 a month in Fresno to $1,705 a month in North Las Vegas, up $284 a month (20%).
Median household income goes from $70,991 in Fresno to $79,542 in North Las Vegas, up $8,551 (12%).
The crime index goes from 195 in Fresno to 110 in North Las Vegas, down 85 points (44%).
The move
North Las Vegas and Fresno are 261 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,705 a month in North Las Vegas to $1,421 a month in Fresno, down $284 a month (17%).
Median household income goes from $79,542 in North Las Vegas to $70,991 in Fresno, down $8,551 (11%).
The crime index goes from 110 in North Las Vegas to 195 in Fresno, up 85 points (77%).
Fresno, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
North Las Vegas, NV
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Fresno and North Las Vegas? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
17% cheaper
Fresno rent is 17% cheaper than North Las Vegas
Fresno
Winner$1,421/mo
North Las Vegas
$1,705/mo
Typical rent runs $1,421 a month in Fresno versus $1,705 in North Las Vegas, so Fresno is 17% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $3,408, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Fresno still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in North Las Vegas.
Planning to buy in North Las Vegas? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
12% higher
North Las Vegas's median income is 12% higher than Fresno
Fresno
$70,991
North Las Vegas
Winner$79,542
Median household income is $79,542 in North Las Vegas versus $70,991 in Fresno, so typical pay runs 12% higher in North Las Vegas (about $8,551 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, North Las Vegas is the stronger labor market on paper. Fresno can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
44% lower crime
North Las Vegas's crime index is 44% lower than Fresno
Fresno
195 (100 = avg)
North Las Vegas
Winner110 (100 = avg)
North Las Vegas's crime index is 110 versus 195 in Fresno (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 44% lower in North Las Vegas. 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, North Las Vegas is the easier city. Fresno can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Fresno and North Las Vegas are about even on typical weather.
Fresno
74°F avg · 84°F highs · comfort 100/100
North Las Vegas
76°F avg · 82°F highs · comfort 100/100
Fresno averages about 74°F (84°F highs); North Las Vegas averages about 76°F (82°F highs). Fresno sits near 74°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. North Las Vegas sits near 76°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
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Fresno
Fresno is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 17% cheaper here at about $1,421 a month. Choose Fresno if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
North Las Vegas is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 12% higher here ($79,542). Start with North Las Vegas if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
North Las Vegas is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 44% lower than Fresno (110 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
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but North Las Vegas leads on safety (57/100 vs 40/100 in Fresno). Typical rent is $1,705 in North Las Vegas and $1,421 in Fresno; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
North Las Vegas still pays more locally ($79,542 median income vs $70,991), which can offset the lease if your field pays North Las Vegas rates.
Median income is $79,542 in North Las Vegas versus $70,991 in Fresno.
North Las Vegas is ahead on safety (57/100 vs 40/100); Fresno is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,421/month rent plus $70,991 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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