Moving to Las Vegas? Sin City offers residents affordable living, world-class entertainment, and plenty of outdoor recreation. Here are 15 things to know about living in Las Vegas!
Las Vegas at a Glance
- Las Vegas has a population of nearly 645,000, making it the largest city in Nevada.
- Known as the “Entertainment Capital of the World,” Las Vegas boasts massive resort casinos, world-class shows, diverse dining, and vibrant nightlife—with many top destinations along The Strip.
- Located in the Mojave Desert, Las Vegas sits in the southeastern part of Nevada—around a four-hour drive from Los Angeles and a five-hour drive from Phoenix.
- Sin City offers fantastic outdoor recreation, from hiking and biking at Red Rock Canyon to waterfront activities on Lake Mead.
- Las Vegas is an iconic global destination that brings millions of tourists each year, with major attractions like the Fremont Street Experience, the Fountains of Bellagio, and more.
Find an Affordable Cost of Living in Vegas
Living in Las Vegas can be affordable, mostly due to low taxes—including no state income tax! Because of the money tourists bring into the city, Las Vegas is the Entertainment Capital of the World and one of the best big cities to live in. Plus, with social security, withdrawals from retirement accounts, and public and private pensions also untaxed, many consider retiring in Las Vegas. Residents also pay 11% less for healthcare, adding to Las Vegas’s affordability. Residents also enjoy the reasonable Las Vegas property taxes that make it a great place to buy a home and one of the best cities for investing in Airbnb.
Q: Is Las Vegas expensive to live in?A: While it may come as a surprise, the cost of living in Las Vegas is 2% lower than the national average, making it a relatively budget-friendly big city to live in. With no state income tax, untaxed retirement income, and reasonable costs for property taxes, healthcare, and more, residents can enjoy all the amenities in Vegas without breaking the bank!
Secure Top Las Vegas Jobs
This fast-growing city and the strong job market in Vegas have a lot to offer young professionals and other job seekers in the area. While you may think the only Las Vegas jobs are in the hospitality sector, its market is diverse across other industries like event planning, health or medicine, and information technology. There are also plenty of co-working spaces and work-from-home jobs in Las Vegas, making it one of the best cities for remote work. Plus, as an RV and motorhome-friendly city, it’s an excellent option for digital nomads. Work for large employers like MGM Resorts International—and other Fortune 500 companies in Las Vegas, like hospitality company Las Vegas Sands, banking giant U.S. Bank, and technology leaders like Dell. Find a job at Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center, the largest acute care facility in Las Vegas. Advance your career at innovation and technology company, Johnson Electric. Or discover your passion for gaming at International Game Technology.
Q: What is the average income in Las Vegas?A: The median household income in Las Vegas is $58,377, which is higher than both the state and national averages. Considering the extensive job opportunities across various industries and the city’s lower-than-average unemployment rate, it’s fairly easy to make a good living in Vegas.
Get Your Degree at Las Vegas Universities
There’s a variety of options when it comes to furthering your education in Las Vegas. Research your passion at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, a top-tier research institution that achieved the highest status as a research university. Unlock your potential at College of Southern Nevada, a community college in with 70 academic programs like business and health sciences. Earn your nursing degree at Chamberlain University in as little as three years, or earn a master’s degree to become a family nurse or mental health nurse practitioner. Train in cosmetology, hair design, barbering, nail technology, and more at Expertise Cosmetology Institute. Choose a profession like a dental assistant, pharmacy technician, surgical technologist, and more at Nevada Career Institute. Or partner with local hospitals, facilities, and businesses while you train for a career in dentistry, veterinary, and electrical technology at Carrington College.
Q: What are the best schools in Las Vegas, Nevada?A: Las Vegas offers diverse higher education options, but some highly-rated institutions include the University of Nevada, Las Vegas for research, as well as the College of Southern Nevada, a community college with a wide range of academic programs to choose from.
Use Las Vegas Public Transit
While you still may want a car in this busy city, Las Vegas public transportation offers easy options for getting around heavy traffic. Hop on the Las Vegas Monorail for a quick way to get around the Las Vegas Strip. Make your way through Las Vegas attractions downtown on the Las Vegas shuttle, the Downtown Loop. Hop on The Deuce, the local bus service, to explore the rest of Vegas. If you prefer to drive, you’ll experience the traffic of a big city, but you’ll spend less time stuck in Las Vegas traffic than you would in other large cities, like Chicago or Los Angeles. And if you want to get out of town, there’s the North Las Vegas Airport and the Harry Reid International Airport, located five miles south of downtown, making international and national travel easier and more affordable.
Q: What is the best way to get around Las Vegas?A: While owning a car can be useful no matter where you live in Vegas, there are also a variety of public transportation options that can get you where you need to go. Some great ways to get around Las Vegas include utilizing the Las Vegas Monorail to navigate The Strip, hopping on the Downtown Loop for Fremont Street attractions, or taking The Deuce buses to explore other parts of the metro area.
Bask In the Vegas Weather
With 294 days of sunshine, Las Vegas weather is often warm and dry, which allows residents year-round outdoor recreation! Hike, visit the tortoise habitat, or meet the “formerly wild burro” Jackson at Red Rock Canyon. Explore the 1.5 million-acre Lake Mead National Recreation Area, with swimming, boating, scuba diving, horseback riding, and more outdoor things to do in Las Vegas! Spot golden eagles, collared lizards, and tracks from mountain lions throughout all 1.6 million acres of Desert National Wildlife Refuge. Visit Mystic Falls Park at night to watch the laser light show complete with a waterfall. Relax while surrounded by lush vegetation, or enjoy activities like mountain biking, playing volleyball, and grilling out at Floyd Lamb Park, one of the best parks in Las Vegas. Or spend time in the Botanical Garden, Butterfly Habitat, Playground & Splash Pad, and more at Springs Preserve.
Q: How often does it rain in Las Vegas?A: It rarely rains in Vegas—in fact, this desert city is one of the driest places in the U.S. Residents can expect an average of around 4 inches of precipitation per year, mainly occurring as short bursts during the winter months.
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Explore the Iconic Las Vegas Strip
Possibly one of the most iconic sites to see is the Las Vegas Strip, thanks to world-class entertainment that you won’t find anywhere else. Leap 829 feet above the Strip with Skyjump or take in the Las Vegas skyline from the observation deck at The STRAT. Cruise down the Grand Canal on an outdoor or indoor Venetian Gondola Ride. Get another view of the city from 46 stories up in the replica Eiffel Tower. Admire the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Garden which covers 14,000 square feet and offers different shows for each season. Witness the Fountains of Bellagio, a free aquatic show running every 15-30 minutes depending on the time of day. Drop 203 feet on The Big Apple Coaster, the world’s first roller coaster with a 180-degree “heartline” twist and dive maneuver. Or check out the many other events happening on The Strip!
Q: How long is the Las Vegas Strip?A: The iconic Las Vegas Strip is approximately 4.2 miles long. Walking the entire length of The Strip—at an average pace with no stops—typically takes just under two hours, though most people like to dedicate several hours or days to fully exploring its many attractions.
Unwind in Downtown Las Vegas
Fun things to do in Las Vegas aren’t limited to the Strip! Downtown Las Vegas is its own hotspot with endless options for shopping, dining, entertainment, and more. Kick back and relax at Downtown Container Park, an open-air shopping center filled with boutiques, a stage for free concerts and movies, and an interactive playground and treehouse. Fly over downtown on the SlotZilla zipline, stop by the Viva Vision Light Show—the largest video screen in the world with rotating visual displays—or listen to free live music in Vegas all at Fremont Street Experience. Swim with sharks at the Golden Nugget Pool. Or enjoy other fun Las Vegas activities like working or hanging out at Gold Spike,a Las Vegas hidden gem with a backyard playground and oversized outdoor games like beer pong, Jenga, chess, and more.
Q: What is Downtown Las Vegas called?A: Downtown Las Vegas is known as Fremont Street, named for its central road. The historic heart of the city, Downtown Las Vegas is famous today for its incredible Fremont Street Experience—which offers an LED canopy, cool light shows, a zip line, street performers, and more!
Join the Fun at Las Vegas Festivals
It’s no surprise this energetic city knows how to put on a good festival. Groove to some good tunes at the Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC), an oversized playground with incredible lit-up stages, rides, LED art installations, and all sorts of performers, dancers, stilters, aerialists, and more. Taste upscale dishes from the world’s best chefs, along with wine and spirits, at the Las Vegas Food & Wine Festival. Hear your favorite hits at iHeartRadio Music Festival from big-name artists like Drake, Olivia Rodrigo, and Journey. Celebrate Italian culture and traditions with food, music, art, rides, and games at the San Gennaro Feast. Have fun watching programmed entertainment, playing Pride Family Bingo, and celebrating diversity at the Las Vegas PRIDE Festival. Listen to Rockabilly music from artists around the world and be sure to visit the classic car show, tattoo room, fashion show, and even weddings at Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend. Release lanterns with personalized messages and intentions while socializing over food and music sets at RiSE Lantern Festival—the largest lantern release in the world. Or appreciate experiences in music, art, self-expression, comedy, food, and more at Life is Beautiful.
Q: What music festivals in Vegas are the most fun?A: Las Vegas hosts several exhilarating music festivals throughout the year, so you’re sure to find one that’s up your alley—whether you want to dance along to EDM hits at the Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) or big-name hip-hop and pop artists at the iHeartRadio Music Festival!
Learn Something New at Vegas Museums
Museums in Las Vegas offer as much entertainment as they do education! Learn about organized crime and law enforcement with an interactive crime lab, firearm training simulator, and exhibits on prohibition and iconic mobsters at The Mob Museum—be sure to visit the hidden speakeasy and distillery in the basement, too! For something unique, tour the Neon Boneyard of retired Las Vegas signs and see them illuminated at sunset at the Neon Museum. Find iconic cars from films like The Fast and the Furious, Batman, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and more at the Hollywood Cars Museum. Travel back in time through over 250 artifacts as well as imitations of the ship’s famous rooms at Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit. Soak up information with exhibits on prehistoric life, Egyptian treasures, and geology at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum. Brave a flashlight ghost tour, explore over 30 rooms filled with haunted artifacts, and listen to ghost stories at Zak Bagans’ The Haunted House Museum. Or check out the world’s largest pinball machine collection, play games, and buy restored pinball machines at the Pinball Hall of Fame.
Q: What is the best museum in Las Vegas?A: Las Vegas offers several highly-rated museums, but some consistently popular destinations include the Mob Museum and the Neon Museum. There are also more niche spots that still draw big crowds, like the Pinball Hall of Fame and Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit.
Discover Fun Family Activities in Vegas
“Sin City” isn’t just a playground for adults—there are plenty of family-friendly things to do in Las Vegas too! Immerse your family in the tale of King Arthur—complete with duels and knights riding horses—at the Tournament of Kings dinner and show experience. Play over 200 arcade games like World’s Biggest Pac-Man, Mega Stacker, and Smash Air Hockey at Fun Dungeon. Observe more than 2,000 animals at Shark Reef Aquarium, including sharks, green sea turtles, piranha, and a Komodo dragon. Ride on the Canyon Blaster, Sand Pirates, and other Las Vegas attractions for kids at The Adventuredome. Explore exhibits at DISCOVERY Children’s Museum, including a life-size pirate ship, medieval castle, mini city, and a 70-foot tower with 12 levels of climbing structures. Watch a movie like The Secret Life of Pets and Luca under the Las Vegas night sky at the Oasis Cinema Club.
Q: Is Las Vegas kid-friendly?A: While many parts of Vegas tend to be more adult-oriented—especially after the sun sets—Sin City still offers plenty of kid-friendly places and activities. Some of the best things to do in Las Vegas with kids include visiting the DISCOVERY Children’s Museum, Shark Reef Aquarium, and Fun Dungeon. Not to mention, there are several family-friendly neighborhoods in Vegas with safe streets and great schools!
Shop at Unique & Luxurious Malls in Vegas
There’s no better place to shop than Las Vegas malls. With more than 250 retailers at the largest shopping destination on the Strip, the Fashion Show Mall has something for the whole family. Treat yourself to luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Versace, Giorgio Armani, Valentino, and Gucci at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. Walk along a canal, waterfall, and garden while you shop at Venetian-inspired Grand Canal Shoppes. Find deals from a variety of retailers, ranging from Aeropostale to Prada, at the Las Vegas Premium Outlets North and South. Hunt for apparel, art, beauty products, and more at Miracle Mile Shops with over a mile of stores—as well as entertainment options, if you need a break from your shopping spree. Do your small business Saturday shopping in the Arts District for art, vintage items, boutique goods, and more.
Q: Where is the best shopping in Vegas?A: The best places to shop in Vegas depend on what you’re looking for. Shop high-end designer brands at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, browse trendy spots at the Fashion Show Mall, find small business gems in the Arts District, or discover the upscale, Venetian-themed Grand Canal Shoppes.
Check Out the Endless Las Vegas Entertainment
Las Vegas is called the Entertainment Capital of the World for good reason. Marvel at the feats of acrobatics, dance, and more at a Cirque du Soleil Las Vegas show, or head to Circus Circus Las Vegas, the world’s largest permanent circus. Watch a Broadway show, the Las Vegas Philharmonic, Nevada Ballet Theatre, and more at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts. See artists like Dua Lipa, Justin Bieber, and Billie Eilish perform live at the T-Mobile Arena. Laugh all night at Las Vegas comedy clubs like the Comedy Cellar Las Vegas, where iconic comedians like Amy Schumer, Chris Rock, and Jon Stewart have performed or got their start in comedy. Take advantage of being a local and become a seat filler to receive free or discounted tickets to events in Las Vegas. Or find plenty of opportunities to see your favorite artists like Lady Gaga and Katy Perry with Las Vegas residencies.
Q: What are the best shows to see in Vegas?A: While there is an abundance of world-class performances in Las Vegas, a few must-see live shows include spectacular productions from Cirque du Soleil and live concerts from world-famous artists and bands at the iconic Sphere.
Watch Thrilling Las Vegas Sports
With a wide range of pro sports and other spectator events, sports lovers are bound to feel right at home in Vegas. Cheer on the Vegas Golden Knights (NHL) at T-Mobile Arena, who have qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs multiple times and have been finalists even though the team was only formed in 2017. Root for the Las Vegas Aces (WNBA) at Michelob ULTRA Arena. Head to the Las Vegas Ballpark to watch the Las Vegas Aviators (MiLB) knock it out of the park. Enjoy a Las Vegas Raiders (NFL) football game at air-conditioned Allegiant Stadium. Camp out to watch NASCAR, NHRA, and other racing series at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Tailgate at a UNLV Rebels football (NCAA) game, where 46 players have gone on to be drafted into the NFL.
Q: What sports teams are in Las Vegas?A: Las Vegas is home to several major professional sports teams, including the Las Vegas Raiders (NFL), the Vegas Golden Knights (NHL), and the Las Vegas Aces (WNBA). As far as minor league teams go, many residents support the Las Vegas Aviators (MiLB).
Eat at Top-Rated Restaurants in Las Vegas
From Michelin-starred restaurants to resident celebrity chefs, Las Vegas dining is a foodie’s paradise! Munch on the best breakfast in Vegas with items like Churro Waffles and S’Mores Pancakes at Griddlecakes. Enjoy Latin-inspired dishes for some of the best brunch in Las Vegas like a Breakfast Empanada Skillet or Chicken Tinga Omelet at Makers & Finders. Dig into Shoyu Ramen or Pork Belly Bowl at Monta Ramen. Chow down on Short Rib Fried Rice or Pad Kee Mow at Le Thai. Experience a Las Vegas classic and eat at Bacchanal Buffet, the biggest buffet in Las Vegas. Savor reimagined Italian dishes like the Spicy Pig Pizza or Rigatoni Bolognese at one of the best restaurants in Las Vegas, La Strega. Or indulge in creative funnel cake flavors like Billion Dollar Banana and Bacon Me Crazy at Braud’s Funnel Cake Cafe.
Q: What food is Las Vegas known for?A: Rather than being known for a particular dish or type of cuisine, Las Vegas is renowned for its extremely diverse dining scene—with everything from extravagant buffets and celebrity chef restaurants to creative takes on traditional American comfort foods. That said, a few Vegas staples include shrimp cocktails and prime rib.
Enjoy Endless Nightlife in Las Vegas
Nothing quite compares to Las Vegas nightlife. Take a spontaneous mini photoshoot and enjoy a signature drink like Smooth Operator or Finishing School at multi-level bar The Chandelier. Unwind at a Las Vegas speakeasy with cocktails like the Boot Bouncer, or ask for a custom drink from the mixologists at The Laundry Room. Sip on a craft beer from a rotating tap list at Vegas’ oldest freestanding bar, Atomic Liquors. Attend a pool party or listen to resident artists like The Chainsmokers and Diplo at XS Nightclub, one of the best Vegas nightclubs. Or drink a Lava Letch or Bearded Clam from a 24/7 tiki bar at Frankie’s Tiki Room.
Q: What is the best nightclub in Las Vegas?A: Many of the most popular nightclubs in Las Vegas are concentrated along The Strip, including local favorites like OMNIA Nightclub in Caesars Palace, XS Nightclub, and more.
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