same $100k income, fresh start from Cleveland

change
Las Vegas, NV cityscape

if you left cleveland

Las Vegas

nv · metro 2.3M

photo: Perry Z / pexels

a dispatch from

las vegas

NV

36.17°N

115.14°W

Las Vegas is the Strip's neon dream, the desert's quiet edges, and a food scene that has quietly become world-class on the back of all those visiting chefs. Red Rock Canyon is 20 minutes from the Bellagio fountains, which is a useful reset button. Pools open in April and parties go until sunrise. Locals know the best restaurants are always one block off the Strip.

metro2.3M

in our guides

#6

of 10

Best cities for remote workers

read the guide
#10

of 10

Cheap cities with serious airports

read the guide
#7

of 10

Affordable cities near national parks and wilderness

read the guide
#3

of 10

Best cities for young professionals

read the guide
#9

of 10

Most vibrant and affordable cities

read the guide
#9

of 10

Best cities for families who love the outdoors

read the guide
#8

of 10

Most livable cities in America

read the guide
#2

of 10

Biggest cities you can actually afford

read the guide
#8

of 10

Best cities in states with no income tax

read the guide
#8

of 10

Best places to move in 2026

read the guide
#8

of 10

Best cities for work-life balance

read the guide
#2

of 10

Best affordable cities in the Mountain West

read the guide
#7

of 10

Best cities for a $200k salary

read the guide
#9

of 10

Best cities for digital nomads

read the guide
#2

of 10

Best cities in the Southwest

read the guide

01 · the verdict

the verdict

$20

under Cleveland, every month

Cost barely budges between Las Vegas and Cleveland. Pick this one for the texture of the days, not the math.
landable, recorded on the las vegas entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,731/mo

22% more expensive than Cleveland(vs $1,419/mo)

02state income tax

0%

$332/mo less in state tax than Cleveland

vs 3.99% in Cleveland

03after rent

$6,602/mo

$20 more than Cleveland

gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.

04a house here

$451k

79% more expensive than Cleveland

vs $252k in Cleveland

05metro size

2.3M

vs 2.2M in Cleveland

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

210

pleasant days a year, in las vegas.

Cleveland keeps to 159 pleasant days a year. The trade is summer: 104 days above 95°, vs 0 in Cleveland.

Nights and weekends fill up faster. 39.9× more on the calendar than Cleveland.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

80/100

27% higher than Cleveland

vs 63/100 in Cleveland

Closest outdoor draw: Death Valley National Park, 66.5 mi.

·walk score®

82/100

15% lower than Cleveland

vs 96/100 in Cleveland

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

133

138% more than Cleveland

vs 56 nonstops in Cleveland

04 · see also

same energy as las vegas, different zip code:

see also

minneapolis

similar overall lifestyle

turn the page

see also

denver

more flight options

turn the page

see also

salt lake city

better weather

turn the page

compare las vegas with:

MinneapolisDenverSalt Lake City