Denver VS Las Vegas

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

Denver
United States
65.7
COLI Index
#30
Global Rank
USD
Currency
Las Vegas
United States
58.2
COLI Index
#49
Global Rank
USD
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
65.7
58.2
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$1,900
$1,400
Total Deductions
24.0%
19.1%
Exchange Rate
1 USD = 1.0000 USD
Is Denver cheaper than Las Vegas?

Yes, Las Vegas is 11% cheaper than Denver based on our cost of living index. Las Vegas has a COLI of 58.2, while Denver has a COLI of 65.7. 11% cheaper

Key Takeaways: Denver vs Las Vegas

Overall, Las Vegas is approximately 11% cheaper than Denver based on our cost of living index. Denver has a COLI of 65.7 (ranked #30 of 182 cities), while Las Vegas has a COLI of 58.2 (ranked #49).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Denver averages $1,900/month compared to $1,400/month in Las Vegas. That makes Las Vegas approximately 26% cheaper for rent alone.

Las Vegas has lower total deductions (19.1%) compared to Denver (24.0%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Las Vegas. When evaluating a relocation, remember that total deductions directly impact your take-home pay and should be weighed alongside cost of living differences.

Tax & Deductions Comparison

Full breakdown of mandatory payroll deductions for a mid-range salary as a local employee in each city.

Denver

Income Tax
12%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
State Income Tax (CO)
4.4%
Total: 24.0%Take-Home: $37,444/yr

Las Vegas

Income Tax
11%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
Total: 19.1%Take-Home: $35,305/yr

Rates shown for local employees. Expat deductions may differ — use the main converter for personalized calculations.

Salary Equivalent

If you earn $75,000 in Denver, you would need approximately $66,438 in Las Vegas to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 11% less thanks to lower cost of living.

Salary Comparison by Job Title

Estimated mid-level annual salaries in local currency, adjusted for each city's cost of living:

Job Title Denver (USD) Las Vegas (USD)
Doctor (General) $118,260 $104,760
Software Engineer $55,845 $49,470
Product Manager $65,700 $58,200
Lawyer $65,700 $58,200
Data Scientist $62,415 $55,290
Marketing Manager $47,304 $41,904
Teacher $31,536 $27,936
Nurse $38,106 $33,756

Salary estimates are adjusted by each city's COLI relative to the New York baseline. Actual salaries vary by company, experience, and industry.

Neighborhoods

Denver (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Cherry Creek1.28x (+28%)
LoDo (Lower Downtown)1.22x (+22%)
RiNo (River North)1.15x (+15%)
Hilltop1.15x (+15%)
Highlands1.12x (+12%)

Las Vegas (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
MacDonald Highlands1.38x (+38%)
Queensridge1.35x (+35%)
Lake Las Vegas1.32x (+32%)
Summerlin1.28x (+28%)
The Strip Area1.25x (+25%)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Denver or Las Vegas more expensive?

Denver is more expensive overall. Denver has a COLI of 65.7 while Las Vegas has a COLI of 58.2, making Las Vegas approximately 11% cheaper.

What salary in Las Vegas equals $75,000 in Denver?

To maintain the same standard of living as $75,000 in Denver, you would need approximately $66,438 in Las Vegas.

Is rent cheaper in Denver or Las Vegas?

Average one-bedroom rent in Denver is $1,900/month compared to $1,400/month in Las Vegas. Las Vegas has lower rent by approximately 26%.

Which city has lower taxes, Denver or Las Vegas?

Las Vegas has lower total deductions (19.1%) compared to Denver (24.0%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Las Vegas.

Explore Each City

Data Sources & Methodology

Cost of living indices (COLI) are benchmarked to New York City = 100 and derived from Numbeo and Expatistan crowd-sourced price surveys, cross-referenced with national statistics agencies. Rent data from Numbeo Property Prices.

Salary ranges are compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OES), Glassdoor, and PayScale. Tax rates are approximate effective rates for mid-range earners based on OECD Taxing Wages and national tax authorities. Exchange rates from the European Central Bank. Neighborhood multipliers are estimated from local rental indices and property data.

Last updated: 2026-02-28. Data is refreshed periodically. All figures are estimates for informational purposes only.