Median rent is 12% lower in Richmond ($1,372/mo vs $1,563/mo). Buying is cheaper in Richmond, where the median home runs $353,000 versus $427,900. Households earn more in Las Vegas ($73,877 vs $64,587 a year). Taken together, Las Vegas is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 98.3 against 98.3 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Las Vegas, NV.
City A
Las Vegas, NV
City B
Richmond, VA
How much would you need to earn in Richmond, VA to maintain your standard of living from Las Vegas, NV?
Equivalent salary in Richmond, VA
$75,039
You'd need $39 more (0% higher).
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
Las Vegas
Nevada
Richmond
Virginia
👥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 Richmond at $1,372/mo compared to $1,563/mo in Las Vegas (12% gap). Median home values are within 18% of each other: $427,900 in Las Vegas and $353,000 in Richmond.
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
Richmond
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Richmond has cleaner air on average: 28.0 AQI (Good) compared to 36.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Las Vegas if you prioritize higher median household income ($73,877/yr).
Pick Richmond if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,372/mo median).
Pick Richmond if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 28.0).
Is Las Vegas cheaper than Richmond?
Las Vegas is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.3 versus 98.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Las Vegas.
How much is rent in Las Vegas vs Richmond?
Median rent is $1,563/mo in Las Vegas, NV and $1,372/mo in Richmond, VA. Richmond, VA has the lower rent by about 12%.
Which has higher salaries — Las Vegas or Richmond?
Median household income is $73,877 in Las Vegas, NV and $64,587 in Richmond, VA. 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?
Richmond, VA has better air quality on average: 28.0 AQI versus 36.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Las Vegas or Richmond?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Richmond 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 $100,052 in Richmond, VA (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
