The numbers, side by side
| Metric | Los Angeles | Las Vegas | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index | 166 | 108 | -58 |
| 1-bed rent (avg) | $2,500 | $1,500 | -$1,000 |
| 2-bed rent (avg) | $3,200 | $1,950 | -$1,250 |
| Median household income | $65,290 | $59,234 | -$6,056 |
| Population | 3,979,576 | 623,747 | -3,355,829 |
What salary you'd need in Las Vegas
To maintain your Los Angeles purchasing power, here's what you'd need to earn in Las Vegas.
Los Angeles vs Las Vegas: which makes more sense for you?
On paper, Los Angeles's cost-of-living index of 166 runs roughly 34.9% higher than Las Vegas's 108. But that headline number papers over real differences in how that cost is distributed — rent might be far more expensive while groceries and transit costs run closer to even.
The rent gap
A 1-bedroom apartment in Los Angeles averages $2,500/month, vs $1,500/month in Las Vegas — a -$1,000 difference. For 2-bedrooms, the gap widens to -$1,250/month. Over a year, the rent difference alone is $12,000 on a 1-bed.
Income context
Median household income in Los Angeles is $65,290, while Las Vegas runs $59,234 (-$6,056 difference). That matters for how the cost-of-living gap actually feels day-to-day — if local salaries are also higher, the cost difference washes out partly. If local salaries lag the cost-of-living gap, your paycheck buys noticeably less.
State tax differences
Los Angeles is in California and Las Vegas is in Nevada, so you'll also pick up a state-tax difference. Tax-free states like Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Washington, and Nevada deliver real take-home upside even when nominal salaries are similar.