Las Vegas VS Los Angeles

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

Las Vegas
United States
58.2
COLI Index
#49
Global Rank
USD
Currency
Los Angeles
United States
76.3
COLI Index
#17
Global Rank
USD
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
58.2
76.3
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$1,400
$2,400
Total Deductions
19.1%
30.3%
Exchange Rate
1 USD = 1.0000 USD
Is Las Vegas cheaper than Los Angeles?

Yes, Las Vegas is 24% cheaper than Los Angeles based on our cost of living index. Las Vegas has a COLI of 58.2, while Los Angeles has a COLI of 76.3. 24% cheaper

Key Takeaways: Las Vegas vs Los Angeles

Overall, Las Vegas is approximately 24% cheaper than Los Angeles based on our cost of living index. Las Vegas has a COLI of 58.2 (ranked #49 of 182 cities), while Los Angeles has a COLI of 76.3 (ranked #17).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Las Vegas averages $1,400/month compared to $2,400/month in Los Angeles. That makes Las Vegas approximately 42% cheaper for rent alone.

Las Vegas has lower total deductions (19.1%) compared to Los Angeles (30.3%), 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.

Las Vegas

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

Los Angeles

Income Tax
13%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
State Income Tax (CA)
9.3%
Total: 30.3%Take-Home: $39,883/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 Las Vegas, you would need approximately $98,325 in Los Angeles to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 24% more due to higher 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 Las Vegas (USD) Los Angeles (USD)
Doctor (General) $104,760 $137,340
Software Engineer $49,470 $64,855
Product Manager $58,200 $76,300
Lawyer $58,200 $76,300
Data Scientist $55,290 $72,485
Marketing Manager $41,904 $54,936
Teacher $27,936 $36,624
Nurse $33,756 $44,254

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

Neighborhoods

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%)

Los Angeles (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Bel Air1.45x (+45%)
Malibu1.42x (+42%)
Beverly Hills1.40x (+40%)
Manhattan Beach1.30x (+30%)
Santa Monica1.25x (+25%)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Las Vegas or Los Angeles more expensive?

Los Angeles is more expensive overall. Las Vegas has a COLI of 58.2 while Los Angeles has a COLI of 76.3, making Las Vegas approximately 24% cheaper.

What salary in Los Angeles equals $75,000 in Las Vegas?

To maintain the same standard of living as $75,000 in Las Vegas, you would need approximately $98,325 in Los Angeles.

Is rent cheaper in Las Vegas or Los Angeles?

Average one-bedroom rent in Las Vegas is $1,400/month compared to $2,400/month in Los Angeles. Las Vegas has lower rent by approximately 42%.

Which city has lower taxes, Las Vegas or Los Angeles?

Las Vegas has lower total deductions (19.1%) compared to Los Angeles (30.3%), 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.