Is it cheaper to live in Cleveland or Las Vegas?

Cleveland, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Las Vegas, NV's $1,320, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Cleveland than in Las Vegas?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cleveland versus $47,000 in Las Vegas.

Which has lower taxes, Cleveland or Las Vegas?

Cleveland is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Las Vegas under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax).

Cleveland vs Las Vegas Cost of Living 2026

Cleveland

Ohio

$940/mo est.

Las Vegas

Nevada

$1,320/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $940 in Cleveland, OH versus $1,320 in Las Vegas, NV. Overall, Cleveland, OH is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Las Vegas, NV, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland, OH and $70,723 in Las Vegas, NV — about 45% higher in Las Vegas, NV. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax; Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax.

Cleveland, OH

Las Vegas, NV

Rent

Studio

$678

$992

+46% in Las Vegas, NV

1 Bedroom

$732

$1,181

+61% in Las Vegas, NV

2 Bedroom

$903

$1,401

+55% in Las Vegas, NV

3 Bedroom

$1,081

$1,740

+61% in Las Vegas, NV

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$94,100

$395,300

+320% in Las Vegas, NV

Income

Median Household Income

$39,187

$70,723

+80% in Las Vegas, NV

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,140

$46,670

+7% in Cleveland, OH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.3 yr

38.5 yr

+2.2 yr in Las Vegas, NV

Homeownership

41.2%

55.7%

+14.5 pp in Las Vegas, NV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

21.3%

27.3%

+6.0 pp in Las Vegas, NV

Avg Commute

22.9 min

25.8 min

+2.9 min in Las Vegas, NV

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,582

433.3

+73% in Cleveland, OH

Property Crime

4,531.3

2,642.1

+42% in Cleveland, OH

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

52.7°F

68.4°F

+15.7°F in Las Vegas, NV

Annual Precipitation

36.4 in

5.4 in

+31.0 in in Cleveland, OH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.18/gal

$5.09/gal

+22% in Las Vegas, NV

Area: Ohio vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

Adult base one-way fare — — vs RTC (residential routes) (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.5

13.6

+30% in Cleveland, OH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.83

$12.09

+47% in Cleveland, OH

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Las Vegas, NV

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Las Vegas, NV

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Cleveland, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Las Vegas, NV

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Cleveland, OH

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Las Vegas, NV

Average prices — Midwest vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OH / NV)

5.75%

6.85%

+1.1 pp in NV

Income Tax (top rate)

2.75%

None

+2.8 pp in OH

Cleveland vs Las Vegas — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cleveland or Las Vegas?: Cleveland, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Las Vegas, NV's $1,320, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cleveland than in Las Vegas?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cleveland versus $47,000 in Las Vegas.
Which has lower taxes, Cleveland or Las Vegas?: Cleveland is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Las Vegas under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).