19 Pros and Cons of Living in Las Vegas

1. Pro: No State Income Tax

There are only nine states in America without a state income tax, and Nevada is one of them. 

If you are willing to work in Las Vegas, your take-home salary will be slightly higher than most states in the US.

You will still need to budget for federal income tax and state/local sales tax. The average state sales tax in Nevada is 8.23%. 

2. Con: Desert Climate

Las Vegas is right in the middle of the Mojave desert, which means that the weather will be very dry for most of the year, and summer heat continues well into September and October. 

This dry weather causes dust storms and a higher chance of air pollution in the city.

It also means the landscape has very little vegetation and almost no wooded areas. There is little to see past red rocks and rock formations. Any green is usually artificial grass or fake trees. 

3. Pro: Live Shows and Events

Among the bright lights and vibrant energy of Las Vegas are an array of exciting shows you can see live! 

Some shows perform regularly, like Cirque De Soleil, Blue Man Group, and Chris Angel’s “Mindfreak,” and seasonal shows like Americal Ninja Warrior. 

Las Vegas also features on almost every major artist’s tour schedule. No matter what genre you are into, you’ll be able to find a few concerts with your favorite artist throughout the year.

Some of the most famous music festivals include the iHeartRadio Festival, Exodus EDM Festival, and the Life is Beautiful Music and Arts Festival. 

4. Con: Hot Summers 

Summers in Las Vegas are scorching, with temperatures varying from 34°C to 40°C. (93-104ºF). This heat is not humid, which makes it slightly more bearable, but it is still challenging to enjoy the outdoors during the summer months.

Rain is also very infrequent. Las Vegas receives less than 10.1 cm (4.2 in) inches of rain annually. 

5. Pro: Mild Winters

While the summers can come with blistering heat, the winter months in Las Vegas are very mild. Snow is extremely rare, and residents enjoy average temperatures of 10-12ºC (50-56ºF) from November to February. 

These months are the best time to enjoy the outdoors. 

If you are from a northern state in the US or Canada, where winters can be extremely cold, this could be one of the most convincing reasons to consider moving to Las Vegas.

6. Con: Traffic

Driving could be the biggest challenge if you’re new to the city. Las Vegas ranks 23rd for cities with the worst congestion in the United States.

Tourists and visitors crowd the city of Las Vegas, causing serious traffic problems for residents. Everyone is up late in Vegas and residents often work odd hours throughout the day and night, so there are no “dead hours” on the road. 

But the traffic is still heaviest during traditional rush hour (7-9 am & 4-6 pm), as well as on weekends. 

A lot of tourists visit Las Vegas by car from nearby cities (LA, San Diego, Phoenix), so there could be an influx of traffic during a major sporting event or holiday weekend.

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7. Pro: Vibrant Nightlife

Las Vegas is known for its party atmosphere and exciting nightlife. If you are a night owl who likes to go out with friends, this place is perfect for you. 

Almost every night of the year, you can find a world-famous DJ playing or a well-known comedian headlining at a Las Vegas nightclub. Some of the best nightclubs in Vegas are: 

• Hakkasan Nightclub – MGM Grand.
• Drai’s Beachclub & Nightclub
• Omnia
• Marquee Nightclub
• Zouk Nightclub

There is often a cover charge of $20-60 to get into these premier nightclubs, so if it is something you envision as a part of your life, make sure to budget accordingly. 

Many restaurants and shops are open 24/7, and there are plenty of late-night dining options after a night out!

8. Con: Poor Education System

The education system in Las Vegas is struggling. A new national report ranks Las Vegas city 2nd worst for school quality among the nation’s 50 largest metropolitan areas, only behind Honolulu. 

This is a big disadvantage for young kids growing up in Las Vegas. Families or people who plan on having kids in the future often have second thoughts about moving to Vegas because of the schools.

People moving to look for a district with higher-quality public schools should consider moving next door to Henderson, NV (just 15 miles from Las Vegas).

9. Pro: Diverse food options

Las Vegas is known for its diverse food options, with a wide variety of cuisines available from all over the world. You will find delicious Mexican restaurants, Chinese food, Japanese ramen, and fancy Italian restaurants on every block of the city. 

Las Vegas has a large number of food trucks, which offer a diverse range of street food from all over the world. One of the best times to experience the food trucks is at the Great American Foodie Fest held every April, where 50 world-renowned food trucks come for a weekend of endless samples, eating contests, and prizes. 

There are also a lot of options for people with dietary restrictions at all restaurants, whether you are vegan, vegetarian, paleo, Keto, gluten-free, or dairy-free. 

11. Pro: Lots of Hiking and outdoor activities 

Las Vegas has a variety of hiking trails available for visitors and residents to enjoy. The city is surrounded by scenic nature walks to more adventurous and strenuous mountain climbs.

Some popular hiking areas around Las Vegas include: 

• Red Rock Canyon
• Valley of Fire State Park
• Mount Charleston
• Lake Mead national recreation area
• Boulder City

Other outdoor activities like hiking, rock climbing, and scenic drives are available around the city. 

12. Con: Gambling

Las Vegas is most prominently known for gambling and casinos. The city has been popularized by countless movies as a gambling city and it’s true. Las Vegas is actually home to 15 of the 25 largest casinos in the world. 

Most of these casinos are located on “The Strip”, which is the main street for tourists and full of eclectic and obscure hotels. 

While gambling is considered one of the top things to do in Vegas, there is also an inherent risk to gambling, and roughly 6% of Nevada residents struggle with gambling addiction to some degree. 

13. Pro: Lots of Sightseeing Options

One of the most significant benefits of living in Las Vegas is being close to many sightseeing options. There are lots of cool things to do within the city, but also fun destinations just outside of the city that are great for spending a weekend with friends and/or family. 

Some popular places to visit for Las Vegas residents are:

• The Hoover Dam
• Red Rock Canyon 
• Niche Museums (Neon Museum, Mob Museum, Natural History Museum)
• Fremont Street Mall
• Shark Reef Aquarium @ Mandalay Bay
• The Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens

A lot of these attractions are a big reason that tourists visit Las Vegas. When you are a resident of the city, you can wait until the off-peak season and see some of the most beautiful landmarks and interesting museums without crowds! 

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14. Con: Crime Rates

Las Vegas has a high crime rate and is due to the city’s large population and high tourist traffic, which can make it a target for criminal activity, especially pickpocketing. The crime rate is 30.3 per 1000 individuals, which is notably higher than the national average. 

Drug trafficking is also a significant problem in Las Vegas that contributes to high rates of violent crime and property crime.

The most prominent areas in the city for crime are Downtown (The Strip), Fremont Street, and North Las Vegas. 

Some of the safest neighborhoods to live in in Las Vegas are Summerlin South, Tule Springs, and Spring Valley. 

15. Pro: Affordable Cost of Living

The cost of living in Las Vegas is generally affordable compared to other major cities in the United States. Grocery and transportation costs are also relatively low.

The average cost of living in Las Vegas for a single person is 2,205 USD a month and about 4,152 USD a month for a family of four.

16. Con: High Price of Utilities

The cost of utilities in Las Vegas, such as electricity and water, is relatively high compared to other major cities. Residents are even charged a fee of $9 for every 1000 gallons they use over the permitted limit for the area. 

The main reason is the desert climate, which means there is limited access to a potable water supply. 

Electricity is expensive due to the limited resources available in the area for production, with an average price of $150-200 per month. 

17. Pro: Diverse Culture

Las Vegas is one of the most diverse areas of the country. The city is very close to becoming a majority-minority city, meaning non-white residents outnumber white residents. 

This leads to a celebration of various cultural festivals throughout the year, including Mardi Gras, the Las Vegas PRIDE festival, and the Juneteeth Festival. 

There is also a lot of opportunity in Las Vegas for minority-owned small businesses to be successful in industries like food, merchandise, entertainment, and tourism.

18. Con: Gas Prices

Another reason you could find it more difficult to budget in Las Vegas is the rising gas prices, which are now the fourth highest in the USA. 

One way to avoid this is by using public transportation, which is surprisingly efficient in Las Vegas. The RTC public bus system has routes throughout downtown, and the double-decker air-conditioned buses are an affordable and safe way to get around the city. 

There are also public shuttles to and from the airport with zero surge pricing for residents who travel often. 

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19. Pro: Housing options

You will be pleased to know that the housing market in Las Vegas is favorable for buyers and very affordable (especially if you are used to California home prices) 

There is a wide range of housing options, from apartments and condos to single-family homes in the suburbs. 

The wealthiest areas of Las Vegas such as Summerlin, Henderson, and Centennial Hills tend to have higher-quality housing options. 

But one of the best tips for living in Las Vegas is to look into less established communities for affordable housing. Two of the best neighborhoods are Twin Lakes and Rancho Oakey.