How Much Does it Cost to Live in Las Vegas, NV?
Quick Summary: The cost of living in Las Vegas is 2% lower than the national average, making it an affordable large city to live in. Check out this guide—covering the cost of housing, healthcare, utilities, groceries, transportation, and more—to help you budget properly for life in Las Vegas.
Considering moving to Las Vegas? Whether you're relocating by yourself or moving with family, being aware of the overall cost of living in Sin City and asking movers questions about costs can make for a smoother transition. From housing and utilities to groceries, transportation, and more, here's what you need to know about living expenses in Las Vegas!
Cost of living data provided by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER).
How Much Does it Cost to Live in Las Vegas?
The cost of living in Las Vegas is 2% lower than the national average, making this Southwestern city relatively affordable and an attractive place to move to. Vegas residents see the most savings in categories like healthcare and goods and services. Explore more detailed cost comparisons in the chart below!
Cost of Living Categories | Las Vegas' Cost of Living Compared to National Averages |
Housing | 4.9% higher |
Utilities | 9.4% higher |
Transportation | 14.6% higher |
Healthcare | 15.6% lower |
Goods & Services | 15.5% lower |
Cost of Housing in Las Vegas
Las Vegas housing costs are about 5% higher than the national average, with home prices roughly 8% above average. Rent prices, on the other hand, are more in line with national figures. The median household income in Las Vegas is also about 6% higher than the national average, which can help offset higher home prices. Whether you're looking to buy or rent in Las Vegas, what you pay will depend on your property type and whether you choose to live in one of the city's more affordable areas. Here's a breakdown of average home and rent prices in Las Vegas.
Item | Average Price in Las Vegas | National Average Price |
Home Price | $559,932 | $518,961 |
Apartment Rent | $1,567 | $1,559 |
Cost of Utilities in Las Vegas (Monthly)
Though utility costs in Las Vegas are generally around 9% higher than the national average, you can still find lower-than-average phone costs. Check out the table below to see average phone and energy expenses compared to the U.S. average.
Item | Average Price in Las Vegas | National Average Price |
Energy | $242.09 | $207.40 |
Phone | $189.21 | $195.49 |
Cost of Groceries in Las Vegas
Groceries in Las Vegas are relatively affordable, costing residents just 4% more compared to the national average. While some items—like coffee—are slightly more expensive, prices for most groceries are on par with the national average. Find average prices for common grocery store items in the table below.
Item | Average Price in Las Vegas | National Average Price |
Steak | $15.64 | $15.52 |
Ground Beef | $7.24 | $7.04 |
Milk (½ Gallon) | $4.83 | $4.70 |
Eggs (Dozen) | $3.56 | $3.56 |
Bananas | $0.72 | $0.74 |
Bread | $4.22 | $3.95 |
Orange Juice | $4.55 | $4.50 |
Coffee | $6.60 | $5.57 |
Cost of Healthcare in Las Vegas
The overall cost of healthcare in Las Vegas is over 15% lower than the national average, with especially low prices for doctors and optometrists. See the table below for a full breakdown of average Las Vegas healthcare rates.
Item | Average Price in Las Vegas | National Average Price |
Doctor | $110.16 | $145.43 |
Dentist | $100.01 | $118.71 |
Optometrist | $99.46 | $131.82 |
Prescription Medication | $19.54 | $20.78 |
Cost of Transportation in Las Vegas
Gas prices in Las Vegas are around 24% higher than the national average, though services like tire balancing are around 8% lower. While overall transportation expenses in Las Vegas are about 15% higher than the national average, residents may be able to cut down on costs by using the city's public transportation options—including the RTC bus routes, Las Vegas Monorail, and more. If you're planning on using a personal vehicle to get around Las Vegas, here are the average costs you'll find for gasoline and tire balancing.
Item | Average Price in Las Vegas | National Average Price |
Gasoline (1 Gallon) | $4.01 | $3.24 |
Tire Balance | $58.11 | $62.82 |
Cost of Goods & Services in Las Vegas
Despite Las Vegas being a major metro, the cost of goods and services is 16% lower than the national average—meaning you can save money on services like haircuts, as well as products like hamburgers, pizza, beer, and more. Compare average prices for common goods and services below.
Item | Average Price in Las Vegas | National Average Price |
Toothpaste | $4.12 | $4.10 |
Shampoo | $1.58 | $1.54 |
Ibuprofen | $11.17 | $11.08 |
Haircut | $15.73 | $26.24 |
Movie Ticket | $12.73 | $12.52 |
Beauty Salon | $48.40 | $49.12 |
Hamburger Stand | $3.81 | $5.67 |
Pizza | $11.99 | $12.36 |
Beer | $9.71 | $10.21 |
Wine | $10.03 | $11.79 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it expensive to live in Las Vegas?
Las Vegas living expenses are 2% lower than the national average, making the Entertainment Capital of the World an affordable large city to live in. Lower prices for major expenses like healthcare and goods and services all contribute to the below-average cost of living. And while housing costs are slightly above the U.S. average, there are plenty of safe and affordable Las Vegas neighborhoods where you can rent a home or buy a home without breaking the bank!
What is a livable wage in Las Vegas?
The salary needed to live in Las Vegas depends on a number of factors, including your lifestyle, desired housing type and location, and more. On average, a single adult without children in Las Vegas can live comfortably with a salary of just over $50,000 per year, while families typically require higher incomes. For example, the minimum recommended salary in Las Vegas for two working adults with one child is around $97,000.
What is the cost of living in Las Vegas vs. Phoenix?
The cost of living in Las Vegas is 2% lower than the U.S. average, while the cost of living in Phoenix is 6.5% higher than the national average. Housing costs are considerably less expensive in Las Vegas compared to Phoenix, and Las Vegas also offers lower prices when it comes to goods and services, healthcare, and more. All things considered, Las Vegas is around 8% less expensive than Phoenix.
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Quinn Johnson
Quinn Johnson is a moving expert and author for Extra Space Storage. He's moved over 15 times, including internationally, and helped countless others between their own homes. He's happy to lift some boxes for a friend as long as he's paid in pizza. As a writer and content creator for Extra Space Storage since 2019, Quinn shares helpful moving tips and info to alleviate the common stresses of moving.