If you’re thinking about moving to Las Vegas, keep reading to see 10 pros and 10 cons to help you make an informed decision.
This list is useful for anyone planning to buy a home in Las Vegas or simply interested in what it’s like to live in such an iconic city.
Before we get started, let’s first take a quick look at some key facts about life in Las Vegas.
Life in Las Vegas at a glance
| Population & Growth | Metro area population: 2.95 million (2024) City proper population: 665,640 Growth rate: 1.86% annual increase |
| Housing Market | Median home value: $426,020 Home value appreciation: 7.0% (past year) Median monthly rent: $2,100 |
| Economy | Total employment: 1.06 million jobs Unemployment rate: 5.3% Main industries: Tourism, hospitality, gaming, technology, healthcare |
| Transportation | Major airport: Harry Reid International Airport (7th busiest in America) Daily corridor traffic: 35,000 vehicles on major routes |
| Education | School district size: 380 schools, 315,787 students |
| Climate & Geography | Location: Southern Nevada Elevation: 2,030 feet above sea level Climate: Arid desert |
Please refer to official resources for the most up-to-date and accurate information. We cannot guarantee all the information presented.
Ready to move to Las Vegas? See:
Premier Las Vegas Area Communities | Is Buying A House in Las Vegas A Good Investment? | The Homebuying Process
10 Pros of moving to Las Vegas
Now, let’s look at the pros of moving to Las Vegas!
1. Las Vegas has a surprisingly low cost of living for a large city
Las Vegas has a surprisingly affordable cost of living for a major city—only 3% above the national average. Compare this to San Diego or New York City, which are about 43% and 77% higher than the national average, respectively.
Las Vegas’s affordability is partly due to its recent development. Most of its suburban communities were built in the last 25 years, and many were designed to offer options across various price points.
No state income tax also plays an important role.
2. Las Vegas offers world-class entertainment and hospitality
Las Vegas offers some of the best entertainment and hospitality experiences in the world. When you move to the city, you can enjoy everything from thrilling live performances to world-class dining to luxury spa treatments at top-rated hotels.
For families with kids, the city also offers plenty of family-friendly activities, such as mini-golf, go-kart racing, trampoline parks, attractions like Adventuredome, and seasonal events at local community centers.
3. The Las Vegas area has some amazing family-friendly neighborhoods and communities
The Las Vegas area has several family-friendly neighborhoods located away from the Strip. These communities are often gated and monitored by security, making them suitable for families looking for a quieter lifestyle.
Areas like Summerlin and Henderson are among the best places to live in the Las Vegas metropolitan. Each neighborhood within these broader communities has its own special feel, but they all offer what families want, including plenty of community activities.
4. Las Vegas offers fantastic outdoor recreation
Outdoor recreation near Las Vegas rocks, pun intended! Just minutes from the city, you’ll find Red Rock Canyon, with its stunning red cliffs and hiking trails. Sloan Canyon is another fantastic area, as are the extensive trail networks throughout the valley, including Summerlin’s impressive 150-mile trail system.
For water-based activities, Lake Mead is perfect for boating and fishing, while for winter sports, you can hit the slopes at Lee Canyon Ski Resort.
Additionally, Las Vegas has over 100 public parks and facilities, where there’s space for everything from baseball to pickleball and much more.
5. Las Vegas has mild winters
Las Vegas enjoys mild winters, with average daytime temperatures ranging from the mid-50s to low 60s. Winter in Las Vegas is undoubtedly comfortable and easy to manage, with little need for heavy coats or bulky winter gear.
Sunny skies and mild temperatures make it possible to spend time outdoors from November through March without the hassles you’d typically encounter.
6. Las Vegas has far fewer mosquitos than many other cities
Las Vegas has far fewer mosquitos than many other cities, thanks to its desert climate and relatively small amount of standing water.
While mosquitoes can still be found in Las Vegas (and yes, some people do report getting bit, especially near water), the overall mosquito presence is much lower than what you’d experience in places like Florida, Texas, or the Midwest.
7. The traffic in Las Vegas is way better than you would expect
Traffic in Las Vegas flows better than you might expect for a major city. While tourist hotspots can get busy, most Las Vegas neighborhoods enjoy easy commutes with relatively courteous drivers. It’s a refreshing change for people moving from gridlocked cities like Los Angeles or Chicago.
Most Las Vegas residents can get to work in about 25 minutes – a dream compared to other major cities. This efficiency isn’t just luck. It’s by design. As a relatively young city, Las Vegas was built with cars in mind, so it features wide streets and parallel routes. You generally have multiple routes to get from points A to B.
The population is also relatively spread out, and the city has multiple business districts (rather than one congested downtown), which helps prevent bottlenecks. Add in the city’s effective traffic management system and 24-hour economy, and you’ve got a recipe for smooth traffic.
Unlike most cities that slow down during rush hours, Las Vegas traffic can actually move faster during heavy commute times. Las Vegas is undoubtedly one of the best major cities in America for commuters.
8. You don’t have to pay state income tax
Nevada’s tax structure is uniquely favorable for residents, thanks to no state income tax on earnings, retirement accounts, pensions, or Social Security benefits. This means residents may keep more of what they earn, whether working or retired.
The state also maintains one of the lowest property tax rates in the country, and many everyday necessities like groceries, gasoline, and prescription medicines aren’t subject to the state’s sales tax. The state can afford this approach because it generates so much revenue from tourism.
For many people relocating from high-tax states, the savings can be substantial.
9. Las Vegas is mostly free of natural disasters
Las Vegas is safe from natural disasters that plague many other major cities. For example, the valley’s risk of earthquakes is significantly lower than both the Nevada and national averages.
The threat of tornadoes is also practically non-existent. Las Vegas has only experienced a handful of tornadoes in the last 50 years, and reports indicate that very little damage resulted.
While flash floods occasionally occur during heavy rains, the city’s infrastructure is well-designed to handle these events.
10. Las Vegas has an international airport
Harry Reid International Airport is a major asset for Las Vegas residents who travel frequently. Located about 10 miles from downtown Las Vegas, it’s fairly convenient to drive to.
Harry Reid itself is also quite impressive: It serves as an operating base for several major airlines and provides reliable air travel 24/7, whether domestic or international, with connections to over 150 destinations worldwide.
10 Cons of moving to Las Vegas
Now, let’s look at the cons of moving to Las Vegas.
1. The costs of housing and rentals are rising
Remember what we said about the affordable cost of living in Las Vegas? Well, the downside is that both housing and rental costs are rising. This problem isn’t isolated to Las Vegas, however. Housing costs have been rising across the United States for many years.
The rental market tells a striking story; rents in the USA have increased by approximately 25% between 2020 and 2024, and Las Vegas renters are undoubtedly feeling the increase.
Home prices in Las Vegas, meanwhile, have seen substantial year-over-year increases, with the median home price reaching $431,000 in September 2024. Compare this to the home sale price of approximately $297,000 back in 2017 and $214,000 in 2013.
2. Las Vegas’s population growth can make it difficult for job seekers
Las Vegas is growing fast, and while this growth has positive aspects, it’s also creating challenges for the job market. While basic positions are available, high-paying service jobs, like premium bartending or fine dining, are fiercely competitive and rarely open up.
Hotels have also gotten used to taking advantage of employees willing to fill any position. Many positions are kept part-time on purpose so that employers don’t have to pay health insurance benefits, and if those employees leave, new ones will take their place.
The industry also has clear slow seasons during the summer and winter months.
Note: Las Vegas’s current unemployment rate is high. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Statistical Area’s (MSA) unemployment rate was 5.8 percent in October 2024, according to Nevada Workforce Informer. While the city receives around 40.8 million visitors who spend $51.5 billion annually, major resorts keep their staff numbers relatively low – typically between 2,000-8,000 employees each.
3. The summers can be brutal
While Las Vegas winters are mild and sunny, the summers can be brutal. From June to September, daytime temperatures regularly soar above 100°F (38°C), and the city’s extensive concrete only intensifies the heat. The asphalt roads and buildings absorb sunlight all day, turning some neighborhoods into urban heat islands that are hotter than surrounding areas.
The heat often requires residents to plan outdoor activities for early mornings or late evenings, seek refuge in air-conditioned spaces, and run AC in their cars before entering.
Las Vegas is also currently setting records for “hot nights” where temperatures don’t drop below 90°F (32°C). While the dry heat is more bearable than heat in humid climates, the intensity of a Las Vegas summer is something newcomers need to experience to truly understand.
4. The school system needs major improvement
The Clark County School District, which serves the Las Vegas Valley, faces ongoing hurdles in meeting national performance standards.
While some areas of the valley offer excellent educational opportunities, these bright spots are often the exception rather than the rule. For families moving to Las Vegas, careful research into specific school zones is crucial. Many residents choose private schools or charter schools as alternatives.
5. The museums aren’t the best
If you’re a museum enthusiast, Las Vegas could leave you wanting more. While the city offers unique attractions, its cultural institutions are limited compared to major cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago.
The art scene, in particular, is still developing, with fewer options for those accustomed to world-class art collections and rotating exhibitions.
6. Las Vegas doesn’t have a good public transportation system
Yes, Las Vegas may have public transit, but the reality is that owning a car is practically essential for daily life in the city. The city’s sprawling suburban layout makes it nearly impossible to rely solely on public transportation.
Moreover, the transit system itself is not very good. It’s not an exaggeration to say a typical 13-mile trip, which would take 25 minutes by car, could very well stretch into an hour-and-a-half-long “adventure” by bus. The bus system often has long wait times, and it offers limited coverage in newer areas like Summerlin.
7. Las Vegas lacks greenery and natural shade
Living in Las Vegas obviously means a lack of natural greenery, which can be jarring for people moving from wet climates. If you are used to a green lawn, this is especially true.
Today, Las Vegas places restrictions on grass lawns—a sticking point for some homebuyers. While desert landscaping can be beautiful, the absence of grass, trees, and natural shade makes the environment feel harsher, especially during the hot summer months.
Some neighborhoods have started incorporating more desert-appropriate plants, but the overall arid environment remains a big adjustment for many newcomers.
8. The number of tourists can feel overwhelming
In 2023, Las Vegas welcomed over 40.8 million visitors, with an average of about 111,800 per day. During peak months like March, July, and October, these daily numbers occasionally surged even higher.
The Strip alone saw tens of thousands of tourists daily, and tourism doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon, which has important implications for residents.
Firstly, the sheer volume of visitors can make simple tasks like driving down the Strip or dining at restaurants more challenging. Secondly, residents have to learn how to navigate around tourist hotspots and know alternative routes. These are essential for maintaining sanity in the bustling desert metropolis.
9. Las Vegas is prone to recessions due to its heavy focus on tourism
Las Vegas’s economy is vulnerable to economic downturns because it relies so heavily on tourism and discretionary spending. When times get tough, vacation spending is often the first thing people cut from their budgets.
During economic downturns, this can create a ripple effect throughout Las Vegas’s economy. While Las Vegas has shown resilience and the ability to bounce back from recessions, potential residents should know the city’s job market can be more volatile than other major metropolitan areas.
10. Las Vegas residents face pressures to restrict water usage
Las Vegas’s relationship with water is complex due to ongoing drought conditions. The city gets about 90% of its water from the Colorado River, and with Lake Mead at historic lows, conservation measures have been implemented.
Residents face mandatory seasonal watering schedules, certain limits on the types of pools they can install, and bans on decorative grass in new developments.
Do you want to make the move to Las Vegas?
This list covers some pros and cons to consider before moving to Las Vegas. Hopefully, these help you weigh whether moving to Las Vegas aligns with your goals.
If so, The Real Estate Guy can help you find the perfect neighborhood that matches your lifestyle and needs. Contact The Real Estate Guy to start the search for your dream home.
