City comparison
Yes. North Las Vegas's crime index is 110 versus 169 in Richmond, and its violent crime index is 110 versus 122, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Richmond is cheaper. Median rent is $1,372 a month versus $1,705 in North Las Vegas.
Safety is where North Las Vegas and Richmond split most clearly. North Las Vegas scores 59 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,705 in North Las Vegas and $1,372 in Richmond.
North Las Vegas is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Richmond makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone North Las Vegas is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Richmond at $1,372 average has pockets that run $1,172 and others at $1,772: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
North Las Vegas and Richmond are 2,069 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,705 a month in North Las Vegas to $1,372 a month in Richmond, down $333 a month (20%).
Median household income goes from $79,542 in North Las Vegas to $64,587 in Richmond, down $14,955 (19%).
The crime index goes from 110 in North Las Vegas to 169 in Richmond, up 59 points (54%).
The move
Richmond and North Las Vegas are 2,069 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,372 a month in Richmond to $1,705 a month in North Las Vegas, up $333 a month (24%).
Median household income goes from $64,587 in Richmond to $79,542 in North Las Vegas, up $14,955 (23%).
The crime index goes from 169 in Richmond to 110 in North Las Vegas, down 59 points (35%).
North Las Vegas, NV
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Richmond, VA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing North Las Vegas and Richmond? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
20% cheaper
Richmond rent is 20% cheaper than North Las Vegas
North Las Vegas
$1,705/mo
Richmond
Winner$1,372/mo
Typical rent runs $1,372 a month in Richmond versus $1,705 in North Las Vegas, so Richmond is 20% 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 $3,996, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Richmond 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
23% higher
North Las Vegas's median income is 23% higher than Richmond
North Las Vegas
Winner$79,542
Richmond
$64,587
Median household income is $79,542 in North Las Vegas versus $64,587 in Richmond, so typical pay runs 23% higher in North Las Vegas (about $14,955 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. Richmond can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
35% lower crime
North Las Vegas's crime index is 35% lower than Richmond
North Las Vegas
Winner110 (100 = avg)
Richmond
169 (100 = avg)
North Las Vegas's crime index is 110 versus 169 in Richmond (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 35% 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. Richmond can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
28% more comfortable
North Las Vegas weather is 28% more comfortable than Richmond
North Las Vegas
Winner71°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100
Richmond
57°F avg · 66°F highs · comfort 78/100
North Las Vegas averages about 71°F (76°F highs); Richmond averages about 57°F (66°F highs). North Las Vegas sits near 71°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Richmond averages around 57°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. North Las Vegas scores 28% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Richmond if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 23% higher ($79,542), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 71°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
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 35% lower than Richmond (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.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Richmond
Richmond is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 20% cheaper here at about $1,372 a month. Choose Richmond if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Safety is the widest gap: North Las Vegas scores 57/100 versus 44/100 in Richmond. Rent is $1,705/month in North Las Vegas and $1,372/month in Richmond, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
North Las Vegas still pays more locally ($79,542 median income vs $64,587), which can offset the lease if your field pays North Las Vegas rates.
Weather averages land near 71°F in North Las Vegas and 57°F in Richmond.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in North Las Vegas; Richmond only makes sense when you have walked the Richmond ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,372 rent.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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