Median rent is 19% lower in Las Vegas ($1,563/mo vs $1,933/mo). Buying is cheaper in Las Vegas, where the median home runs $427,900 versus $921,200. Households earn more in Los Angeles ($81,939 vs $73,877 a year). Taken together, Las Vegas is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 98.3 against 114.7 — about 14% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Las Vegas, NV.
Cost of living verdict
Las Vegas is 14% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 98.3 in Las Vegas vs 114.7 in Los Angeles (US national average = 100)
City A
Las Vegas, NV
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Las Vegas, NV?
Equivalent salary in Los Angeles, CA
$87,563
You'd need $12,563 more (17% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Las Vegas
Nevada
Los Angeles
California
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Las Vegas at $1,563/mo compared to $1,933/mo in Los Angeles (19% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $921,200 versus $427,900 in Las Vegas — 54% more expensive.
Metric
Las Vegas
Los Angeles
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Las Vegas
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Los Angeles
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Los Angeles has cleaner air on average: 31.0 AQI (Good) compared to 36.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Las Vegas if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 98.3 vs 114.7).
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize higher median household income ($81,939/yr).
Pick Las Vegas if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,563/mo median).
Las Vegas is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.3 versus 114.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 14% lower in Las Vegas.
Median rent is $1,563/mo in Las Vegas, NV and $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Las Vegas, NV has the lower rent by about 19%.
Median household income is $73,877 in Las Vegas, NV and $81,939 in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Los Angeles, CA has better air quality on average: 31.0 AQI versus 36.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Las Vegas, NV is equivalent to roughly $116,750 in Los Angeles, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
