Is it cheaper to live in Las Vegas or Provo?

Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% 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 Provo?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Las Vegas versus $39,000 in Provo.

Which has lower taxes, Las Vegas or Provo?

Las Vegas is taxed under Nevada's rules (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax).

Las Vegas vs Provo Cost of Living 2026

Las Vegas

Nevada

$1,320/mo est.

Provo

Utah

$1,120/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 $1,120 in Provo, UT. Overall, Provo, UT is roughly 15% 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 $62,800 in Provo, UT — about 11% higher in Las Vegas, NV. Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.

Las Vegas, NV

Provo, UT

Rent

Studio

$992

$1,009

+2% in Provo, UT

1 Bedroom

$1,181

$978

+17% in Las Vegas, NV

2 Bedroom

$1,401

$1,128

+19% in Las Vegas, NV

3 Bedroom

$1,740

$1,381

+21% in Las Vegas, NV

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$395,300

$437,100

+11% in Provo, UT

Income

Median Household Income

$70,723

$62,800

+11% in Las Vegas, NV

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,670

$48,010

+3% in Provo, UT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.5 yr

23.7 yr

+14.8 yr in Las Vegas, NV

Homeownership

55.7%

39.9%

+15.8 pp in Las Vegas, NV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

27.3%

45.0%

+17.7 pp in Provo, UT

Avg Commute

25.8 min

18.5 min

+7.3 min in Las Vegas, NV

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

433.3

205.7

+53% in Las Vegas, NV

Property Crime

2,642.1

1,280.6

+52% 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

53.4°F

+15.0°F in Las Vegas, NV

Annual Precipitation

5.4 in

19.8 in

+14.4 in in Provo, UT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.21/gal

$4.27/gal

+18% in Las Vegas, NV

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.1

13.4

+2% in Provo, UT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$13.83

$11.84

+14% in Las Vegas, NV

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

about equal

Bread (lb)

$2.04

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NV / UT)

6.85%

6.1%

+0.8 pp in NV

Income Tax (top rate)

None

4.50%

+4.5 pp in UT

Las Vegas vs Provo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Las Vegas or Provo?: Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% 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 Provo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Las Vegas versus $39,000 in Provo.
Which has lower taxes, Las Vegas or Provo?: Las Vegas is taxed under Nevada's rules (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% 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).