Las Vegas is unmissable! With movies, songs, commercials having major references to the Entertainment Capital Of The World, Las Vegas is a well-known city embedded in the minds of many. But apart from having many nicknames adhered to its name, this city possesses a kind of nature that has appealed to many. What’s this appeal, you may ask. Keep reading our article to know more about what tempts people into moving to Las Vegas.
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The Outdoors
Whenever you think of Las Vegas, a reel of casinos, resorts, with bright lights adorning the city’s skylines might play in your mind. However, the great outdoors of Las Vegas is an added bonus to all that vibrancy. With hiking areas such as Red Rock Canyon and Mount Charleston, we can say that all the adventure enthusiasts are out for a treat. Also, there are numerous national parks to explore just a distance away from the Strip. So, go out and breathe a lot of fresh air!
Low Cost Of Living
If you compare the cost of living with other major metropolises like NYC and Los Angeles, you’ll find that livability is extremely cheaper in Las Vegas. Of course, some compromises will have to be made which we’ll get to in the latter part of the article. For now, just know that you won’t have to do much budgeting to afford to live in Las Vegas.
The Traffic
Except during the weekends and peak tourist season, traffic isn’t much of a problem in Las Vegas. You’ll have just a 5-10 minute added delay to your journey. This is much better than sitting for long hours in traffic.
Poor Public Transportation
The lack of public transportation in Las Vegas is its biggest downfall. There are a couple of modes, but they’re not all efficient. Hence, many have chosen to drive to get around all parts of the city more comfortably and quickly.
Lack Of Greenery
After all, Las Vegas is geographically located in the Mojave Desert, which means won’t see much greenery around. The most you’ll see are the golf courses that are around, but soon you’ll feel that’s not much, especially if you’re coming from a place like New Orleans or Louisiana where greenery is in abundance.
Hot Summers
Summers in Las Vegas have an average temperature of 108°F. Hence, its residents are forced to stay indoors which can be a huge downside if you’re a fan of the outdoors. Even if you’re moving, try moving in any other season apart from the summers.
If you’re moving to Las Vegas, be prepared for hot, humid, year-round temperatures. So, you should start investing in air conditioners for your home. During the peak summer season (July), temperatures range between 80°F-104°F, but the humidity is low. The low humidity might ease a bit of these scorching temperatures, but even then, it still gets hot!
Winters are a bit lenient as the temperatures are between 40°F-60°F. You might experience cold spells that may last for several days in Las Vegas, but you’ll not experience any snowfall unless you move towards the mountainous regions of the valley.
Spring and fall are the most comfortable and pleasant months to move to Las Vegas. The temperatures are favorable (62°F-83°F) which means that you can make the most of the outdoors during this period.
You’ll experience a bit of rainfall towards the end of July and early in September. The rate might increase during that period but it’s still below the national average. However, when it rains, you might be subject to flash floods. Keep an ear out for weather forecasts whenever you see cloudy skies hovering above!
Las Vegas might seem like an expensive place to afford due to the glitz and the glam it portrays, but, in reality, the cost of living in this city is just 3% higher than the national average. With certain compromises in your budget, living a life of fulfillment in Las Vegas is completely doable! Here’s a breakdown of all the major expenses you’ll have to bear here:
Compared to the rest of Nevada, Buying a house in Las Vegas is quite affordable. A 6% decrease in rates to be precise. But if you compare it to the national average, the rate is about 18% higher. A slight steep you might say, but still better than the other exorbitant rates on property in Nevada.
| Las Vegas | US Average | |
| Median Home Value | $384,931 | $316,368 |
If buying property is not on your agenda, then renting an apartment out is your next feasible option. Rent rates are comparatively lesser than the rates statewide and nationwide as well. However, if you’re looking for something for luxury apartments close to the strip, the rent rates can shoot up to $3,000. Here’s a table that will help you plan accordingly:
| Size Of The Apartment | Average Rent Per Month | US Average |
| Studio | $802 | $949 |
| 1-bedroom | $949 | $1,048 |
| 2-bedroom | $1,150 | $1,278 |
| 3-bedroom | $1,630 | $1,681 |
When it comes to taxes, you can be sure that you’ll be saving a lot of income. How? For starters, there’s no income tax! No corporate tax, no franchise tax, or inventory tax. But, sales taxes (8.3%) are a bit higher than the national average (7.3%). This rate is the combination of both, the state and county tax rates. Las Vegas is located in Clark County, and its county tax rate is 1.5% which is added to the base sales tax rate of 6.8%.
Coming to property taxes, you’ll be paying the minimum as well. Clark County ensures that its citizens enjoy the best of their property by allowing them to pay just 0.65% on property taxes, which is much lower than the national average. To give you a rough figure, you’d be paying around $1,550 per annum on property taxes, which is 37% lower than the amount paid nationwide. However, buying property in America’s Sin City might be slightly heavy on the pockets.
One thing that brings down the cost of living in Las Vegas is the utility bills. They’re 10% lower than the national average with electricity bills being close to $150. Here’s the part you need to watch out for: health care, groceries, and transportation are all higher than the national average. Groceries are 4% higher, health care is 3% higher, and transportation is 14% higher than what the rest of the country usually pays.
Knowing and analyzing a city’s economy can foretell the quality of life you’ll be having. You can see what else the city offers in terms of prospects and opportunities, and based on that, you can plan whether that place is fit for you or not. Where Las Vegas is concerned, it’s obvious that it’s the entertainment capital of the world. Tourism and gaming have been the primary drivers of Las Vegas’ economy in turn providing thousands of jobs and benefiting local retail businesses. If you want to talk about numbers, Las Vegas’ tourism sector has contributed around $29.6 billion in 2020.
Apart from the tourism industry, the information industry is among the largest sectors in the city with over 54,000 employees in IT roles. Sales, telemarketing, and software developers are among the well-sought positions in Las Vegas too.
Here are Las Vegas’ most prominent industries at a glance:
Las Vegas’ top employers:
However, despite the glam and glitz Las Vegas possesses, the city still has a high unemployment rate of 8.9%. Since Las Vegas is a tourism-dependent city, restaurants, and gaming stations had to shut down due to infrequent tourist visitations, causing unemployment rates to skyrocket.
Where salaries are concerned, you’ll earn a little less than the national average. But, it’s still manageable since the cost of living is a little above the national average.
See Also: What Salary Do You Need to Live in Las Vegas?
| Las Vegas | US Average | |
| Average Annual Income | $25,555 | $28,555 |
| Median Household Income | $50,903 | $53,482 |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 6.0% |
To afford Las Vegas, assuming that you don’t have any extra members to take care of, an annual salary of $28,643 should be sufficient enough, as per LivingWage. But if you have to provide for one child, you’ll have to make at least $60,709 to account for child care and other increases in expenditures.
Generally speaking, Las Vegas is a safe city, especially the Strip area considering how touristy the place is. That said, the crime rate here is higher than the state and national average, but not terribly so. After all, any major city is bound to have a higher crime rate.
Las Vegas has a rate of 5.34 per 1,000 residents according to NeighborhoodScout, meaning you have a one in 187 chances of becoming a victim of it. This is slightly higher than the national median of 4.
On the other hand, property crimes in Las Vegas is 22.87 per 1,000 residents, so the chances of you being a victim of it are one in 44. Even this is higher than the national median of 19.
Now the question you’ll have is which neighborhoods in Las Vegas are safe? Consider moving to Centennial Hills, Summerlin, Tule Springs, or Lone Mountain if crimes are a huge concern for you.
Las Vegas, being one of America’s major metropolitan areas, has its own share of traffic congestion. This is especially true on The Strip where driving is strenuous during weekends or peak holiday time. Apart from that, the traffic in Las Vegas is pretty manageable and not as bad as in other metropolitan cities like Los Angeles.
Where public transportation is concerned, Las Vegas does offer several modes of transportation but they’re not really efficient. That’s why many have their personal vehicle to get them around the place quickly. In fact, Las Vegas is known to have the worst public transportation systems in the country. So, before moving, think about this point for a little while, especially if you don’t have a car to take you around.
Here are the modes of transportation in Las Vegas that you can consider:
Primary and secondary education in Las Vegas is looked after by the Clark County Schools District, which also happens to be the 5th populous school district in the country. Even so, if you’re moving for better education, then Las Vegas might not be your best option as the schools and colleges here aren’t exactly the best. That being said, you can still consider the below educational institutions in Sin City:
Also See: Moving To Nevada
If you’re yearning to settle in a place with a lot of outdoor recreation, then Summerlin is one option you need to try considering. The place is home to over 250 parks (some greenery in a desert-type climatic area) alongside 150 miles of outdoor trails, and a huge number of golf courses as well. Even the real estate options are something to keep an eye out for in this neighborhood.
Although they might be a bit pricier, Summerlin offers its residents mansions, condos, and even single-family houses perfect for starting a family in. Also, the dining, shopping, and entertainment options are plentiful. Perfect for you to get right into the bustle!
Population: 125,001
Median Home Value: $310,162
Monthly Median Rent: $1,480
Annual Median Household Income: $74,688
See Also: Best Moving Companies In Las Vegas
There are many reasons why many transplants have been moving to The Lakes region. First of all, it’s voted as one of the safest and most affordable neighborhoods by many, making it comfortable for retirees and children to live in. Adding to that, educational institutes are among the highly ranked as well. With quality schools such as SpringStone Lakes Montessori School present in this neighborhood, you won’t have to search far and near for quality education for your child.
Also, this little gated community which is constructed around the 30-acre Lake Sahara is away from the hustle and bustle of The Strip and Downtown Las Vegas; thus, making residential living even more serene and calmer.
Population: 19,823
Median Home Value: $337,723
Monthly Median Rent: $1,484
Annual Median Household Income: $63,707
Centennial Hills is revered for its family-friendly environment. The community is close-knit and friendly, the amenities are plentiful and are just around the corner, and the neighborhood is much safer than most ones in Las Vegas. With good schools such as Henry & Evelyn Bozarth Elementary School, Ralph Cadwallader Middle School, and Centennial High School, Centennial Hills never compromises on its educational standards. If you want to inculcate the habit of reading for yourself or for your child, then drop by the Centennial Hills Library and skim a few pages.
Population: 45,680
Median Home Value: $216,567
Monthly Median Rent: $1,123
Annual Median Household Income: $71,867
Summing Up
If you’re looking to Las Vegas for your next move, then you’ll indeed enjoy the thrill of the place. It’s loud, it’s vibrant, and you’ll never feel bored because there’s always something to do. Just watch out for those rain forecasts and and the heat. Other than that, enjoy the rest of your life on the offerings of Sin City!
Also Read: Moving From San Diego To Las Vegas – A Complete Guide
December is the coldest month in Las Vegas with average nighttime temperatures hitting 36.6°F.
Las Vegas has no state income tax and the property tax rates are also below the national average. Even the cost of living is quite affordable, so if you’re moving to Las Vegas to save some money, then you’re making a good decision.
Las Vegas is safer than 15% of US cities, according to NeighborhoodScout. Crime can happen anywhere but the neighborhoods of Downtown Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Meadows Village, Huntridge, and West Las Vegas have reported high numbers of property and violent crimes.
Also See: Affordable Moving Companies to Move to Las Vegas
Alex Sherr is the founder of My Long Distance Movers, a blog that provides moving information and resources for people who are relocating. He has more than two decades of experience in the moving and relocation industry, and he is passionate about helping people relocate smoothly and efficiently. When he's not writing or blogging, Alex enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children.
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