Median rent is 10% lower in Las Vegas ($1,563/mo vs $1,738/mo). Buying is cheaper in Las Vegas, where the median home runs $427,900 versus $580,200. Households earn more in Cary ($134,905 vs $73,877 a year). Taken together, Las Vegas is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 98.3 against 98.4 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Cary, NC.
City A
Cary, NC
City B
Las Vegas, NV
How much would you need to earn in Las Vegas, NV to maintain your standard of living from Cary, NC?
Equivalent salary in Las Vegas, NV
$74,947
You could earn $53 less (0% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Cary
North Carolina
Las Vegas
Nevada
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Las Vegas at $1,563/mo compared to $1,738/mo in Cary (10% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Cary: the median home is $580,200 versus $427,900 in Las Vegas — 26% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Cary
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Las Vegas
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Las Vegas has cleaner air on average: 36.0 AQI (Good) compared to 47.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Cary if you prioritize higher median household income ($134,905/yr).
Pick Las Vegas if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 36.0).
Is Cary cheaper than Las Vegas?
Las Vegas is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.3 versus 98.4 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Las Vegas.
How much is rent in Cary vs Las Vegas?
Median rent is $1,738/mo in Cary, NC and $1,563/mo in Las Vegas, NV. Las Vegas, NV has the lower rent by about 10%.
Which has higher salaries — Cary or Las Vegas?
Median household income is $134,905 in Cary, NC and $73,877 in Las Vegas, NV. Cary, NC has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Las Vegas, NV has better air quality on average: 36.0 AQI versus 47.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Cary or Las Vegas?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Las Vegas to match my Cary income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Cary, NC is equivalent to roughly $99,930 in Las Vegas, NV (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
