Median rent is 11% lower in Newark ($1,392/mo vs $1,563/mo). Buying is cheaper in Newark, where the median home runs $373,700 versus $427,900. Households earn more in Las Vegas ($73,877 vs $52,060 a year). Taken together, Las Vegas is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 98.3 against 112.6 — about 13% 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 13% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 98.3 in Las Vegas vs 112.6 in Newark (US national average = 100)
City A
Las Vegas, NV
City B
Newark, NJ
How much would you need to earn in Newark, NJ to maintain your standard of living from Las Vegas, NV?
Equivalent salary in Newark, NJ
$85,957
You'd need $10,957 more (15% 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
Newark
New Jersey
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 Newark at $1,392/mo compared to $1,563/mo in Las Vegas (11% gap). Median home values are within 13% of each other: $427,900 in Las Vegas and $373,700 in Newark.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
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
Newark
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Las Vegas has cleaner air on average: 36.0 AQI (Good) compared to 46.0 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 112.6).
Pick Las Vegas if you prioritize higher median household income ($73,877/yr).
Pick Newark if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,392/mo median).
Pick Las Vegas if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 36.0).
Is Las Vegas cheaper than Newark?
Las Vegas is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.3 versus 112.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 13% lower in Las Vegas.
How much is rent in Las Vegas vs Newark?
Median rent is $1,563/mo in Las Vegas, NV and $1,392/mo in Newark, NJ. Newark, NJ has the lower rent by about 11%.
Which has higher salaries — Las Vegas or Newark?
Median household income is $73,877 in Las Vegas, NV and $52,060 in Newark, NJ. Las Vegas, NV 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 46.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Las Vegas or Newark?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Newark to match my Las Vegas income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Las Vegas, NV is equivalent to roughly $114,609 in Newark, NJ (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
