on $100k a year, leaving Lexington

change
Las Vegas, NV cityscape

if you left lexington

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

$132

under Lexington, every month

Cost barely budges between Las Vegas and Lexington. 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

16% more expensive than Lexington(vs $1,488/mo)

02state income tax

0%

$375/mo less in state tax than Lexington

vs 4.5% in Lexington

03after rent

$6,602/mo

$132 more than Lexington

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

04a house here

$451k

39% more expensive than Lexington

vs $324k in Lexington

05metro size

2.3M

vs 520k in Lexington

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

210

pleasant days a year, in las vegas.

Lexington only logs 171 pleasant days. Heat is the cost: 104 days top 95° vs Lexington's 1.

8252% more happening than in Lexington.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

80/100

33% higher than Lexington

vs 60/100 in Lexington

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

·walk score®

82/100

7% lower than Lexington

vs 88/100 in Lexington

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

133

923% more than Lexington

vs 13 nonstops in Lexington

04 · see also

in the same ballpark as las vegas:

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