Is It Expensive to Live in Las Vegas?

Like many cities, Las Vegas is as cheap or as expensive as you make it – there are apartments that can cost as little as a few hundred dollars per month, and multi-million dollar homes a twenty-minute drive from said apartments. Las Vegas is a growing city, with new constructions popping up all the time, but the city also has its fair share of wonderful previously-occupied properties that could delight and protect for years to come. 

Where numbers are concerned, Las Vegas is generally projected to be more expensive than most US cities, but only by a few percentage points. To be sure, finding a one-bedroom apartment in Las Vegas that costs less than $1000 is relatively easy. You can even find one for less than $1000 that includes access to a swimming pool! There is truly something for everyone in the entertainment-driven city, and the possibilities to live frugally exist throughout. 

Average Salaries

With an average income of just under $60,000, Las Vegas offers a playground for all income levels. It is possible to be comfortable in Las Vegas for around $2,000 per month for the thrifty among us, and without a state income tax, you’ll see more of the money you’ve earned on each paycheck. Over half of the people living in Las Vegas are married couples without children, though around thirty percent of the households in Las Vegas do have children, which of course, creates the need for an educational system that can offer opportunities for children to learn and grow. Most of the people living and working in Las Vegas work in hospitality; the biggest money-maker for Las Vegas is the world-famous Strip, and thousands are needed to make The Strip sparkle with the glory for which the desert oasis is known. If you’re making the average salary in Las Vegas, not only will you be making a little more than most, you’ll have access to all of the things that make Vegas Vegas. 

Housing

With the average cost of a home running around $300,000, Las Vegas has plenty of affordable options for potential home-buyers. The national average cost of a home hoovers around $285,000, so, just as the previously-mentioned percentage points, Las Vegas is actually a relatively inexpensive city in which to live, especially when you compare the costs of cities from which so many move when arriving in Las Vegas. San Francisco, New York, Chicago, and Seattle have lost quite a few families to Sin City, where housing is clearly cheaper, and often already outfitted for a long and comfortable stay. Work with a local real estate agent to find a home that works just for you. 

Transit

Cars are still the best way to get around Las Vegas. Car prices vary greatly, of course, but the cost of gasoline in Las Vegas remains among the highest in the nation. Considering how easy it can be to save in other areas, though, this could easily balance itself. If you’re really concerned about gas prices, but are committed to using a car, consider a hybrid vehicle that can minimize your gas usage. Sticking to a smaller car, too, can help offset higher gas costs: smaller vehicles consume less gasoline, and less energy, even when they’re keeping you cool. 

If you don’t plan to drive in Las Vegas, that’s fine! Public transit is plentiful and runs late into the evening. The Deuce, a Strip-based bus service, runs 24 hours a day. The rest of Las Vegas’ public transit, for the most part, begins early in the morning, and runs through midnight. The public transit in Las Vegas, including cabs, served over five million people last year. With trips that can cost as little as $1 for some people, Las Vegas public transit is an excellent and reliable way to get around. Changing transit is also easy, and cheap. 

Groceries

Las Vegas is a great small city will big city ideas, including a collection of low-cost grocery stores. Whole Foods and other premium grocers are absolutely available, but there are also options like WinCo and Fiesta markets, where produce is fresh and ready for you at a much lower price. With these options in a digitally-driven world, shopping for cheap groceries can only be more expensive if you use a grocery delivery service, but the cost could be worth it on those triple-digit days. Of course, depending on how much you choose to spend on food, the dining scene in Las Vegas has so much to offer, it will take years to try everything. Delicious local eateries are plentiful, and reservations are accepted at five-star restaurants right on or off The Strip. 

Entertainment

This is a place where Las Vegas really shines – literally! Anything that you want to see can be found in fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada, and with a quickly-growing major-league sports scene, the entertainment landscape has a fresh new wave of events, and related events. Music fans’ favorite artists rarely skip Las Vegas, and many stay: Britney Spears performed a concert residency for four years at Planet Hollywood. Tickets to these types of events are typically priced like concerts typically are: it’s possible to see the show for around $100, but you’ll certainly want to pay more, if it’s possible. 

If you can’t make it to any of the many resident concerts, there are dozens of fun shows on any given night. These shows can be magic shows, theater, concerts, or TV tapings. Shows performed during the week tend to be less expensive, including the world-famous Cirque du Soleil. If price is no object, get ready to shell several hundred dollars per ticket to each unforgettable show. If sitting around isn’t your thing, go-karting, indoor rock-climbing, and hundreds of fitness classes are ready to get you in motion. 

Don’t forget about the wonderful eating options in Las Vegas! On The Strip, buffets can rule your world with a flat fee for a variety of food options. Fine dining is as available as late-night McDonald’s, and everyone is loving it. Like the rest of your Las Vegas experience, the experience of dining out in Las Vegas could break the bank, or leave you with plenty of pocket change, depending on what you’re looking for.