Is it cheaper to live in Las Vegas or Paterson?

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

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Las Vegas or Paterson?

Las Vegas is taxed under Nevada's rules (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax); Paterson under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax).

Las Vegas vs Paterson Cost of Living 2026

Las Vegas

Nevada

$1,320/mo est.

Paterson

New Jersey

$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 Paterson, NJ. Overall, Las Vegas, NV is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Paterson, NJ, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $70,723 in Las Vegas, NV and $53,766 in Paterson, NJ — about 24% higher in Las Vegas, NV. Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax; New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax.

Las Vegas, NV

Paterson, NJ

Rent

Studio

$992

$786

+21% in Las Vegas, NV

1 Bedroom

$1,181

$1,183

+0% in Paterson, NJ

2 Bedroom

$1,401

$1,468

+5% in Paterson, NJ

3 Bedroom

$1,740

$1,729

+1% in Las Vegas, NV

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$395,300

$335,400

+15% in Las Vegas, NV

Income

Median Household Income

$70,723

$53,766

+24% in Las Vegas, NV

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,670

$61,430

+32% in Paterson, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.5 yr

33.3 yr

+5.2 yr in Las Vegas, NV

Homeownership

55.7%

26.2%

+29.5 pp in Las Vegas, NV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

27.3%

12.5%

+14.8 pp in Las Vegas, NV

Avg Commute

25.8 min

23.1 min

+2.7 min in Las Vegas, NV

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

433.3

1,010.1

+133% in Paterson, NJ

Property Crime

2,642.1

2,391.4

+9% 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

52.2°F

+16.2°F in Las Vegas, NV

Annual Precipitation

5.4 in

49.0 in

+43.7 in in Paterson, NJ

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.21/gal

$3.94/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)

13.1

24.9

+90% in Paterson, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$13.83

$17.68

+28% in Paterson, NJ

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 Paterson, NJ

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 / NJ)

6.85%

6.625%

+0.2 pp in NV

Income Tax (top rate)

None

10.75%

+10.8 pp in NJ

Las Vegas vs Paterson — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Las Vegas or Paterson?: Las Vegas, NV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Paterson, NJ's $1,430, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Las Vegas than in Paterson?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Las Vegas versus $47,000 in Paterson.
Which has lower taxes, Las Vegas or Paterson?: Las Vegas is taxed under Nevada's rules (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax); Paterson under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% 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).