Is it cheaper to live in Las Vegas or Manchester?

Las Vegas, NV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Manchester, NH's $1,430, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Las Vegas or Manchester?

Las Vegas is taxed under Nevada's rules (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax); Manchester under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no state sales tax).

Las Vegas vs Manchester Cost of Living 2026

Las Vegas

Nevada

$1,320/mo est.

Manchester

New Hampshire

$1,430/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,320 in Las Vegas, NV versus $1,430 in Manchester, NH. Overall, Las Vegas, NV is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Manchester, NH, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $70,723 in Las Vegas, NV and $77,415 in Manchester, NH — about 9% higher in Manchester, NH. Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Las Vegas, NV

Manchester, NH

Rent

Studio

$992

$880

+11% in Las Vegas, NV

1 Bedroom

$1,181

$1,150

+3% in Las Vegas, NV

2 Bedroom

$1,401

$1,593

+14% in Manchester, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,740

$1,661

+5% in Las Vegas, NV

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$395,300

$336,300

+15% in Las Vegas, NV

Income

Median Household Income

$70,723

$77,415

+9% in Manchester, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,670

$56,530

+21% in Manchester, NH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.5 yr

37.9 yr

+0.6 yr in Las Vegas, NV

Homeownership

55.7%

49.3%

+6.4 pp in Las Vegas, NV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

27.3%

33.5%

+6.2 pp in Manchester, NH

Avg Commute

25.8 min

23.8 min

+2.0 min in Las Vegas, NV

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

433.3

339.5

+22% in Las Vegas, NV

Property Crime

2,642.1

1,691.4

+36% in Las Vegas, NV

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

68.4°F

49.2°F

+19.2°F in Las Vegas, NV

Annual Precipitation

5.4 in

44.6 in

+39.2 in in Manchester, NH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.09/gal

$3.86/gal

+24% in Las Vegas, NV

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.6

27.3

+101% in Manchester, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$12.09

$24.53

+103% in Manchester, NH

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Las Vegas, NV

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.92

+6% in Las Vegas, NV

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.90

+6% in Las Vegas, NV

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.19

+9% in Manchester, NH

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.69

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NV / NH)

6.85%

None

+6.8 pp in NV

Income Tax (top rate)

None

about equal

Las Vegas vs Manchester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Las Vegas or Manchester?: Las Vegas, NV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Manchester, NH's $1,430, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Las Vegas than in Manchester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Las Vegas versus $46,000 in Manchester.
Which has lower taxes, Las Vegas or Manchester?: Las Vegas is taxed under Nevada's rules (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax); Manchester under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no 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).