Is it cheaper to live in Houston or Las Vegas?

Las Vegas, NV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Houston, TX's $1,350, mainly because of natural gas costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $46,000 a year in Houston versus $47,000 in Las Vegas.

Which has lower taxes, Houston or Las Vegas?

Houston is taxed under Texas's rules (no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax); Las Vegas under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax).

Houston vs Las Vegas Cost of Living 2026

Houston

Texas

$1,350/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 $1,350 in Houston, TX versus $1,320 in Las Vegas, NV. Overall, Las Vegas, NV is roughly 2% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Houston, TX, driven mainly by natural gas costs.

Median household income is $62,894 in Houston, TX and $70,723 in Las Vegas, NV — about 11% higher in Las Vegas, NV. Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax; Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax.

Houston, TX

Las Vegas, NV

Rent

Studio

$1,142

$992

+13% in Houston, TX

1 Bedroom

$1,156

$1,181

+2% in Las Vegas, NV

2 Bedroom

$1,375

$1,401

+2% in Las Vegas, NV

3 Bedroom

$1,664

$1,740

+5% in Las Vegas, NV

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$253,400

$395,300

+56% in Las Vegas, NV

Income

Median Household Income

$62,894

$70,723

+12% in Las Vegas, NV

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,410

$46,670

+6% in Houston, TX

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.3 yr

38.5 yr

+4.2 yr in Las Vegas, NV

Homeownership

42.0%

55.7%

+13.7 pp in Las Vegas, NV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

36.0%

27.3%

+8.7 pp in Houston, TX

Avg Commute

27.3 min

25.8 min

+1.5 min in Houston, TX

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,155.2

433.1

+63% in Houston, TX

Property Crime

4,325.3

2,641.7

+39% in Houston, TX

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

70.3°F

68.4°F

+1.9°F in Houston, TX

Annual Precipitation

54.6 in

5.4 in

+49.3 in in Houston, TX

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$5.57/gal

+45% in Las Vegas, NV

Area: Houston vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$1.25

$2.00

+60% in Las Vegas, NV

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

14.2

+14% in Houston, TX

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$24.61

$10.04

+59% in Houston, TX

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.16

$4.37

+5% in Las Vegas, NV

Bread (lb)

$1.73

$2.10

+21% in Las Vegas, NV

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.25

+3% in Las Vegas, NV

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.56

$7.23

+10% in Las Vegas, NV

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.14

+12% in Las Vegas, NV

Bananas (lb)

$0.61

$0.74

+21% in Las Vegas, NV

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (TX / NV)

6.25%

6.85%

+0.6 pp in NV

Income Tax (top rate)

None

about equal

Houston vs Las Vegas — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Houston or Las Vegas?: Las Vegas, NV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Houston, TX's $1,350, mainly because of natural gas costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Houston than in Las Vegas?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $46,000 a year in Houston versus $47,000 in Las Vegas.
Which has lower taxes, Houston or Las Vegas?: Houston is taxed under Texas's rules (no state income tax and a 6.25% 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).