Home › Compare › New York, NY vs Las Vegas, NV

Cost of Living: New York, NY vs Las Vegas, NV

A data-driven comparison of housing, groceries, transportation, taxes, job market and more. See which city gives you more for your money.

29.0% Las Vegas, NV is cheaper overall
42.6% 42.6% cheaper housing
13.8% 13.8% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 42.6% cheaper
New York
195
Las Vegas
112
🛒 Groceries 13.8% cheaper
New York
116
Las Vegas
100
🚗 Transportation 20.0% cheaper
New York
130
Las Vegas
104
🏥 Healthcare 14.8% cheaper
New York
115
Las Vegas
98
⚡ Utilities 12.5% cheaper
New York
112
Las Vegas
98

Detailed Breakdown

Category New York, NY Las Vegas, NV Difference
Overall Cost Index14510329.0% less
Housing19511242.6% less
Median 1BR Rent$3,200$1,35057.8% less
Median Home Price$750,000$380,00049.3% less
Groceries11610013.8% less
Transportation13010420.0% less
Healthcare1159814.8% less
Utilities1129812.5% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type New York, NY Las Vegas, NV
State Income Tax10.90% (top)None (0%)
State Sales Tax4.00%6.85%
Avg Property Tax Rate1.40%0.48%
Estate / Inheritance TaxYesNone

What You'd Need to Earn

New York, NY
$115,000
Median household income
Las Vegas, NV
$62,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: Las Vegas costs more but median income is lower. You may need to earn more to maintain the same standard of living.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

Find out what you'd need to earn in Las Vegas to maintain your New York lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: New York (145) vs Las Vegas (103). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
New York5.1%
Las Vegas5.2%
Job Growth (YoY)
New York2.8%
Las Vegas3.0%
Top Industries
New YorkFinance, Media, Tech
Las VegasHospitality, Entertainment, Construction

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
New York41 min
Las Vegas25 min
Walk Score
New York89
Las Vegas41
Air Quality (AQI)
New York48
Las Vegas52
Avg Temperature
New York55°F
Las Vegas68°F
Population
New York8,258,035
Las Vegas646,790

Moving from New York to Las Vegas?

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Planning Your Move?

Here are some helpful resources if you're considering relocating.

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in New York and Las Vegas → 🚚 Get Moving QuotesCompare prices from top movers → 📈 Check Home ValuesSee real estate trends in both cities → 💼 Search JobsFind open positions in Las Vegas →

Compare Other Cities

New York vs Austin → New York vs Denver → New York vs Nashville → Las Vegas vs Raleigh → Las Vegas vs Portland → Las Vegas vs Phoenix →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is New York or Las Vegas cheaper to live in?+
Las Vegas is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 42.6%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in New York vs Las Vegas?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $3,200/month in New York and $1,350/month in Las Vegas — a difference of about $1,850 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, New York or Las Vegas?+
New York has a state income tax of 10.90% (top) and sales tax of 4.00%. Nevada has a state income tax of None (0%) and sales tax of 6.85%. Consider all tax types together when evaluating total tax burden, as states with no income tax often compensate with higher sales or property taxes.
Can I afford to move from New York to Las Vegas?+
Median household income in New York is $115,000 compared to $62,000 in Las Vegas. Use the salary calculator above to see what you'd need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
What about buying a home in New York vs Las Vegas?+
The median home price in New York is $750,000 versus $380,000 in Las Vegas — a difference of $370,000. Property tax rates also differ: New York averages 1.40% while Nevada averages 0.48%.