Is it cheaper to live in Las Vegas or Memphis?

Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Las Vegas, NV's $1,320, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Las Vegas versus $38,000 in Memphis.

Which has lower taxes, Las Vegas or Memphis?

Las Vegas is taxed under Nevada's rules (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax); Memphis under Tennessee's (no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax).

Las Vegas vs Memphis Cost of Living 2026

Las Vegas

Nevada

$1,320/mo est.

Memphis

Tennessee

$1,110/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 $1,110 in Memphis, TN. Overall, Memphis, TN is roughly 16% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Las Vegas, NV, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $70,723 in Las Vegas, NV and $51,211 in Memphis, TN — about 28% higher in Las Vegas, NV. Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax; Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax.

Las Vegas, NV

Memphis, TN

Rent

Studio

$992

$877

+12% in Las Vegas, NV

1 Bedroom

$1,181

$948

+20% in Las Vegas, NV

2 Bedroom

$1,401

$1,073

+23% in Las Vegas, NV

3 Bedroom

$1,740

$1,281

+26% in Las Vegas, NV

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$395,300

$157,100

+60% in Las Vegas, NV

Income

Median Household Income

$70,723

$51,211

+28% in Las Vegas, NV

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,670

$46,890

+0% in Memphis, TN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.5 yr

34.3 yr

+4.2 yr in Las Vegas, NV

Homeownership

55.7%

46.0%

+9.7 pp in Las Vegas, NV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

27.3%

28.2%

+0.9 pp in Memphis, TN

Avg Commute

25.8 min

21.3 min

+4.5 min in Las Vegas, NV

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

433.1

2,507.5

+479% in Memphis, TN

Property Crime

2,641.7

6,965.8

+164% in Memphis, TN

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

63.1°F

+5.3°F in Las Vegas, NV

Annual Precipitation

5.4 in

53.7 in

+48.3 in in Memphis, TN

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.57/gal

$4.35/gal

+22% in Las Vegas, NV

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

$1.75

+13% in Las Vegas, NV

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.2

15.1

+6% in Memphis, TN

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.04

$15.54

+55% in Memphis, TN

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.37

$4.16

+5% in Las Vegas, NV

Bread (lb)

$2.10

$1.73

+18% in Las Vegas, NV

Eggs (doz)

$2.25

$2.19

+3% in Las Vegas, NV

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.23

$6.56

+9% in Las Vegas, NV

Chicken (lb)

$2.14

$1.90

+11% in Las Vegas, NV

Bananas (lb)

$0.74

$0.61

+17% in Las Vegas, NV

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NV / TN)

6.85%

+0.2 pp in TN

Income Tax (top rate)

None

about equal

Las Vegas vs Memphis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Las Vegas or Memphis?: Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Las Vegas, NV's $1,320, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Las Vegas than in Memphis?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Las Vegas versus $38,000 in Memphis.
Which has lower taxes, Las Vegas or Memphis?: Las Vegas is taxed under Nevada's rules (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax); Memphis under Tennessee's (no state income tax and a 7% 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).