Median rent is 37% lower in Las Vegas ($1,563/mo vs $2,476/mo). Buying is cheaper in Las Vegas, where the median home runs $427,900 versus $1,394,500. Households earn more in San Francisco ($140,970 vs $73,877 a year). Taken together, Las Vegas is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 98.3 against 117.6 — about 16% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in San Francisco, CA.
Cost of living verdict
Las Vegas is 16% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 98.3 in Las Vegas vs 117.6 in San Francisco (US national average = 100)
City A
Las Vegas, NV
City B
San Francisco, CA
How much would you need to earn in San Francisco, CA to maintain your standard of living from Las Vegas, NV?
Equivalent salary in San Francisco, CA
$89,701
You'd need $14,701 more (20% 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
San Francisco
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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Las Vegas — median rent of $1,563/mo versus $2,476/mo in San Francisco, a 37% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in San Francisco: the median home is $1,394,500 versus $427,900 in Las Vegas — 69% 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.
Las Vegas
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
San Francisco
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Las Vegas (avg AQI 36.0) but not yet for San Francisco.
Pick Las Vegas if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 98.3 vs 117.6).
Pick San Francisco if you prioritize higher median household income ($140,970/yr).
Pick Las Vegas if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,563/mo median).
Is Las Vegas cheaper than San Francisco?
Las Vegas is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.3 versus 117.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 16% lower in Las Vegas.
How much is rent in Las Vegas vs San Francisco?
Median rent is $1,563/mo in Las Vegas, NV and $2,476/mo in San Francisco, CA. Las Vegas, NV has the lower rent by about 37%.
Which has higher salaries — Las Vegas or San Francisco?
Median household income is $73,877 in Las Vegas, NV and $140,970 in San Francisco, CA. San Francisco, CA 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?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Las Vegas or San Francisco?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in San Francisco 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 $119,601 in San Francisco, CA (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
