with $100k coming in, swapping out of Miami

change
Las Vegas, NV cityscape

if you left miami

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

$934

below Miami's monthly cost

Las Vegas is the kind of cheap that changes the math. Same salary, a different life on the other side.
landable, recorded on the las vegas entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,731/mo

35% cheaper than Miami(vs $2,665/mo)

02state income tax

0%

vs 0% in Miami

03after rent

$6,602/mo

$934 more than Miami

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

04a house here

$451k

20% cheaper than Miami

vs $565k in Miami

05metro size

2.3M

vs 6.2M in Miami

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

210

pleasant days a year, in las vegas.

Miami has the edge here, logging 272 pleasant days a year. Bring the AC. 104 days a year clear 95°, well past Miami's 0.

A real upgrade on things to do: 3.6× Miami's pace.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

80/100

4% higher than Miami

vs 77/100 in Miami

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

·walk score®

82/100

15% lower than Miami

vs 97/100 in Miami

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

133

20% fewer than Miami

vs 167 nonstops in Miami

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