Is it cheaper to live in Las Vegas or Seattle?

Las Vegas, NV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 35% below Seattle, WA's $2,020, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Las Vegas versus $74,000 in Seattle.

Which has lower taxes, Las Vegas or Seattle?

Las Vegas is taxed under Nevada's rules (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Las Vegas vs Seattle Cost of Living 2026

Las Vegas

Nevada

$1,320/mo est.

Seattle

Washington

$2,020/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 $2,020 in Seattle, WA. Overall, Las Vegas, NV is roughly 35% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Seattle, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $70,723 in Las Vegas, NV and $121,984 in Seattle, WA — about 42% higher in Seattle, WA. Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Las Vegas, NV

Seattle, WA

Rent

Studio

$992

$1,638

+65% in Seattle, WA

1 Bedroom

$1,181

$1,858

+57% in Seattle, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,401

$2,359

+68% in Seattle, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,740

$2,918

+68% in Seattle, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$395,300

$912,100

+131% in Seattle, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$70,723

$121,984

+72% in Seattle, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,670

$72,610

+56% in Seattle, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.5 yr

35.5 yr

+3.0 yr in Las Vegas, NV

Homeownership

55.7%

44.2%

+11.5 pp in Las Vegas, NV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

27.3%

67.5%

+40.2 pp in Seattle, WA

Avg Commute

25.8 min

26.6 min

+0.8 min in Seattle, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

433.1

787.3

+82% in Seattle, WA

Property Crime

2,641.7

5,107.9

+93% in Seattle, WA

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

53.5°F

+14.9°F in Las Vegas, NV

Annual Precipitation

5.4 in

37.7 in

+32.4 in in Seattle, WA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.57/gal

$5.77/gal

+4% in Seattle, WA

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Seattle.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

$2.75

+38% in Seattle, WA

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.2

14.4

+2% in Seattle, WA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.04

$17.32

+73% in Seattle, WA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.37

about equal

Bread (lb)

$2.10

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.25

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.23

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.14

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.74

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NV / WA)

6.85%

6.5%

+0.3 pp in NV

Income Tax (top rate)

None

about equal

Las Vegas vs Seattle — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Las Vegas or Seattle?: Las Vegas, NV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 35% below Seattle, WA's $2,020, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Las Vegas than in Seattle?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Las Vegas versus $74,000 in Seattle.
Which has lower taxes, Las Vegas or Seattle?: Las Vegas is taxed under Nevada's rules (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).