Is it cheaper to live in Denver or Las Vegas?

Las Vegas, NV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Denver, CO's $1,750, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Denver versus $47,000 in Las Vegas.

Which has lower taxes, Denver or Las Vegas?

Denver is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Las Vegas under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax).

Denver vs Las Vegas Cost of Living 2026

Denver

Colorado

$1,750/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 $1,750 in Denver, CO versus $1,320 in Las Vegas, NV. Overall, Las Vegas, NV is roughly 25% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Denver, CO, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $91,681 in Denver, CO and $70,723 in Las Vegas, NV — about 23% higher in Denver, CO. Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax; Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax.

Denver, CO

Las Vegas, NV

Rent

Studio

$1,497

$992

+34% in Denver, CO

1 Bedroom

$1,583

$1,181

+25% in Denver, CO

2 Bedroom

$1,958

$1,401

+28% in Denver, CO

3 Bedroom

$2,269

$1,740

+23% in Denver, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$586,700

$395,300

+33% in Denver, CO

Income

Median Household Income

$91,681

$70,723

+23% in Denver, CO

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$62,320

$46,670

+25% in Denver, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

38.5 yr

+3.3 yr in Las Vegas, NV

Homeownership

49.1%

55.7%

+6.6 pp in Las Vegas, NV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

55.6%

27.3%

+28.3 pp in Denver, CO

Avg Commute

25.4 min

25.8 min

+0.4 min in Las Vegas, NV

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

998.3

433.1

+57% in Denver, CO

Property Crime

4,781.9

2,641.7

+45% in Denver, CO

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

50.2°F

68.4°F

+18.2°F in Las Vegas, NV

Annual Precipitation

15.6 in

5.4 in

+10.2 in in Denver, CO

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.58/gal

$5.57/gal

+22% in Las Vegas, NV

Area: Denver vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.75

$2.00

+27% in Denver, CO

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.7

14.2

+15% in Denver, CO

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.64

$10.04

+14% in Denver, CO

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.37

about equal

Bread (lb)

$2.10

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.25

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.23

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.14

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.74

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CO / NV)

2.9%

6.85%

+3.9 pp in NV

Income Tax (top rate)

4.40%

None

+4.4 pp in CO

Denver vs Las Vegas — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Denver or Las Vegas?: Las Vegas, NV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Denver, CO's $1,750, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Denver than in Las Vegas?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Denver versus $47,000 in Las Vegas.
Which has lower taxes, Denver or Las Vegas?: Denver is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% 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).