25 Pros and Cons of Living in Las Vegas

If you landed on this page you’re probably considering moving to Nevada and wondering what the pros and cos are of living in Las Vegas.

Oh, Las Vegas. It’s glitzy, it’s glammy, and it’s fabulous. It’s also one of the fastest growing cities in the United States, increasing every year by about 2%. People have been moving to this city in the desert in droves ever since its founding in 1905.

So you might be wondering what’s the deal? Should I move to Las Vegas too? In this article we will go through all the pros and cons of living in Las Vegas. 

Let’s start with a personal opinion: I absolutely loved living in Las Vegas!

I called Sin City home for over two years and only left for a job in Washington DC due to lack of employment opportunities during a recession (see Con #8 below). I’d move back in a heartbeat if I could.

But Las Vegas is not for everybody. It takes a certain personality to thrive in Vegas. By the end of this list of the pros and cons of living in Las Vegas hopefully you should have a better idea if it’s a good fit for you. 

Las Vegas – Quick Glance

Population: 2.27 million metro area, 642,000 city proper 

Time zone: Pacific Standard 

Elevation: 2001 ft (610m) along Las Vegas Boulevard (aka “The Strip”)

Climate: arid desert, hot and dry

Median home price in 2023: $386,000 

Average rent for 1 bedroom apartment in 2023: $1,239

Violent crime rate in 2023: about 600 per 100,000, which is on the high side 

Main industry: tourism and gambling 

The Pros and Cons of Living in Las Vegas

If you’ve found this page you’re probably wondering if you should move to Las Vegas or not. So without wasting any more time let’s go through the pros and cons of living in Las Vegas. We will go through them in a pro, con, pro, con, etc format. Then you can make an informed decision if living in Sin City is for you!

Pro #1: It’s affordable

This might come as a shock based on that time you paid $18 for a Coors Lite at Wet Republic, but Las Vegas is actually a really cheap city to live in. The median home price as of February 2023 was about $382,000, just below the national average of $386,000.

When you consider that Las Vegas is a big, desirable city, it’s pretty amazing it’s below average. And it used to be way cheaper pre-pandemic. 

Rent prices are also comparable to the national average. Things like utilities and gas tend to be on the higher side compared to national averages, and restaurant prices (off the Strip) are on par with other non-coastal cities and noticeably cheaper than expensive cities like LA and DC. Overall it’s a very affordable place to live. 

Con #1: Salaries are lower than most other major cities

With a low cost of living comes lower salaries for professional positions. It depends on your job, but you most likely won’t make as much as a comparable position in San Diego or New York or other major coastal cities.

It’s a balance you have to strike when considering taking a job in Las Vegas. While the salary might be lower, you might find yourself with more money in the bank at the end of each month due to the lower cost of living.

If you work at a nightclub or bar on the Strip though – especially at a pool bar with day rental cabanas – you can make a killing. You don’t even want to know how much money the bottle service girls make at Vegas nightclubs so I won’t tell you. 

Pro #2: No state income tax 

The last related topic to affordability is that thanks to taxes on gambling winnings and a higher than average sales tax, there is no state income tax in Nevada. This makes a significant difference to your paycheck and was one of the things I really loved about living there.

On top of that property taxes are some of the lowest in the country. It’s basically a consumer-based tax system in the state.

Con #2: Poor quality public schools

The state of Nevada is not known for having an amazing education system or anything like that. Nevada ranks 39th out of 50 states in public education, and that’s actually quite an improvement from the early 2010s. For a while there, Nevada was ranking dead last in terms of standardized test scores, academic standards, and lack of early childhood education options.

Nevada does have excellent private and charter schools, and many of the district schools in wealthy areas are great schools. But in general Las Vegas doesn’t value education compared to other major cities, as the city provides many high paying job opportunities that don’t need an education.

But this is changing too as more and more companies move to Las Vegas providing additional non-hospitality jobs. Either way, it’s not the best place to put your children through district public school. At least not yet.

Pro #3: Amazing restaurants

Las Vegas has some of the best restaurants in the world. Both on Strip and off Strip, there is no shortage of amazing restaurants to satisfy your taste buds. Many world renowned chefs operate restaurants in Las Vegas. These are mostly on the Strip though.

Off the Strip, the restaurant choices don’t diminish at all. While there are all the typical chain restaurants, you can find local joints with just about every cuisine imaginable. The food choices tend to be as eclectic as the population. 

There is excellent Mexican food in Vegas, as well as a surprisingly large Chinatown, complete with dozens of Chinese restaurants and other east Asian cuisines. Las Vegas also has dozens of excellent craft breweries that have sprung up since about 2010.

Hash House a Go Go is a Las Vegas tradition and near the UNLV campus there is even an exact replica of the Hofbrauhaus in Munich (the food is even better than the one in Munich in my opinion). Whatever you like to eat, you’ll be satisfied in Las Vegas! 

Con #3: Crime rate

While Las Vegas certainly isn’t one of the most dangerous cities in the US, it does rank above average when it comes to violent crime. Muggings and robberies are not uncommon, though you’re definitely safer in Vegas than you are in St. Louis or Philadelphia. It’s also a function of what neighborhood you live and work in.

North Las Vegas tends to be more economically depressed and has higher crime than the southern part of the city, where home prices are considerably higher. As long as you do some research on where to live before renting or purchasing a home you can reasonably expect to be safe in Las Vegas.  

Pro #4: The weather

For about 8 months a year, the weather in Las Vegas is pretty much perfect. This period is about mid-September to the end of May. This is when the daytime highs are below 100 (38 C) and being outside in the sun won’t give you heat stroke.

Since it’s the middle of the desert, there is essentially no humidity. A 95 degree day in Las Vegas is a lot more comfortable than an 80 degree day in Miami. October and April are the best months, with warm days and borderline chilly evenings. 

Winters can get pretty cold, and snow happens every so often, but compared to other American cities not in South Florida and Southern California, winter is very mild and manageable. It hardly ever rains and aside from winter, the winds aren’t so bad. It’s pretty much clear and sunny all year round. 

Con #4: The summer weather

The weather in Las Vegas can also be a con when it comes to peak summer days. Make no mistake, summers are downright brutal. July and August average highs are well over 100 (and June is pretty close to 100). The summer of 2023 brought temperatures near 120 degrees to Sin City.

Even with negligible humidity, a 110 (43 C) day is still painful. At that temperature it’s tough to do things outside. It’s possible – and I have (hell I’ve hiked a mountain in Phoenix in 113 degree summer sun) – but for many, that type of heat can be dangerous.

You have to drink a ton of water and wear a hat or something to cover your head. So if intense heat is more than you can handle, Las Vegas might not float your boat. 

Pro #5: It’s a hiker’s paradise

If you love the great outdoors and hitting the trails, then Las Vegas might be just what you’re looking for. It surprises a lot of people who associate Vegas with nothing more than a packed street of casinos, but Las Vegas is surrounded by beautiful mountains and red rocks. The natural side of Las Vegas has a lot to offer. 

The most popular local getaways are Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (which is literally right at the edge of the city limits), Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Valley of Fire State Park, and Mount Charleston (Spring Mountains National Recreation Area).

Mount Charleston even has a small ski resort and the area is covered in snow throughout the winter. All just 45 minutes from central Vegas! Each of these amazing places has numerous hiking trails, including some pretty epic paths to the top of Mount Charleston, the highest peak in southern Nevada at nearly 12,000 ft. 

Con #5: Virtually non-existent public transportation

When it comes to public transportation options, Las Vegas is not winning any awards. While it’s true that it doesn’t have the worst public transportation in the country, it’s certainly not even comparable to San Francisco, Washington DC or Boston. It does, at least, have a bus network, which is more than some American cities can say. 

The RTC (Regional Transit Commission) of Southern Nevada operates the bus network and it has made great improvements over the years. The network is pretty extensive and there is even a bus that goes up and down The Strip all day and night for tourists.

Still, Las Vegas buses are known for being frequented by very shady people and crime has been a problem for the RTC for years. I’ve never once been on the bus in Las Vegas and I didn’t know anyone who took the bus either. On top of the safety issue, using the bus is a painstakingly slow way to get around the city. 

Due to these issues with the bus service, Las Vegas residents are almost entirely reliant on private vehicles. There is never a shortage of Ubers and Lyfts, but if you live in Las Vegas expect to be driving yourself everywhere all the time.

This also creates major problems with drunk driving. I have no data to prove it, but my own estimate is that at least 25% of drivers on the road on any given Friday or Saturday night are flat out drunk. 

Due to the layout of the city in large suburban blocks, walking is also difficult unless you have all day. The city has been adding more bike lanes, however, as cycling becomes a more common form of transportation. But cycling in the summer heat is not ideal. So Las Vegas is, and probably always will be, a car-dependent city. 

Pro #6: Traffic is not that bad 

With so many people driving in an ever-growing city you’d think traffic would be awful, right? Well, not exactly. Unlike nearly all other major cities, Las Vegas doesn’t have a true rush hour.

The city’s main economy is tourism and the casinos run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Offices for professional services (like engineers, consultants, or insurance brokers for example) are spread throughout the city. There is no central business district like nearly all other major cities. 

All this leads to no particular rush hour in Las Vegas. Interstate Highway 15 runs right through the city and is often backed up at all times of the day, but the other highways and main roads don’t get much extra traffic in the mornings or evenings. So even though you have to drive yourself everywhere, at least you don’t have to sit in rush hour traffic every day.

Con #6: Las Vegas has awful drivers

Car insurance premiums in southern Nevada are some of the highest in the country and it’s due to the accident rate in the city. It’s simply flabbergasting how awful Las Vegas drivers can be. I’ve never actually witnessed a traffic accident in my life outside of Las Vegas, but I’ve witnessed multiple in the city, including times when I was just back visiting. 

You have to be extremely vigilant driving in Las Vegas. Drivers are not paying attention and it’s only getting worse with everyone on their phones. And see my previous statement about drunk drivers on any given night. If you move to Las Vegas, expect your insurance premium to go significantly up. 

Pro #7: World class entertainment

Las Vegas isn’t the entertainment capital of the world for nothing. The number of A-class celebrities that are performing in Las Vegas every night is astonishing. Many famous artists – like Celine Dione, Brittney Spears and the Backstreet Boys – have all had Las Vegas residencies.

A Vegas residency means that they are contracted to perform at a casino theater literally every night, often twice per night. That’s why it’s called a “residency.” Instead of the artist going on tour, they stay put and you come to them. As far as I know, Las Vegas is the only place in the country with this sort of arrangement. 

It’s not just musicians with residencies either. Vegas is also known for magicians (like Penn and Teller), comedians (like Carrot Top), Cirque du Soleil shows, and male revues (Thunder from Down Under anyone?), among others. There is literally something for everyone in Las Vegas and it’s happening every night. 

If you’re a Las Vegas resident, you even get access to free shows on The Strip. There are multiple companies that provide this service, such as Plug In Vegas, House Seats, and Fillaseat. Not the big time acts, but when many shows don’t sell out they offer to fill the seats with locals for free.

All you have to do is subscribe online to the service and for a reasonably monthly fee you can swipe up free tickets for shows that don’t sell out. This type of service used to be free and I used it all the time to see magicians and comedians I liked. 

On top of the residencies, just about every major artist or comedian tour comes through Las Vegas. With over 2 million people and dozens of concert venues, it’s a no-brainer for tour headliners. Basically, if you love live shows, you will love living in Las Vegas.

Con #7: Your children are introduced to the gambling scene early 

A part of living in Las Vegas means going to casinos for activities or events you might not associate with casinos. Las Vegas casinos contain everything from movie theaters to bowling alleys and everything in between, not to mention shops, restaurants, food courts, and concert venues.

It’s hard not to need to go into a casino at some point, even if you never throw any coins in the slot machine. Due to this, it’s also hard to keep your kids completely away from casinos. You’ll likely have some event they’ll need to go to a casino for at some point. And they will know about gambling either way, as the city is essentially built on it. 

In general, many people consider Las Vegas not a great place to raise a family because of this when combined with the poor quality public schools. But anyone focused on raising their children properly should be able to shield them from the debauchery of Sin City. 

Pro #8: Epic nightlight (and daylife)

Along the same theme as being the entertainment capital of the world, one could argue that Vegas is also the nightlife capital of the world (or at least of the United States as some European destinations might take the prize there). Every casino has at least one nightclub, as well as numerous bars.

On top of that. in the mid 2000s, casino pools began the “daylife” trend, essentially turning an afternoon at the pool into a nightclub. Many of the casinos have a separate pool that hosts a huge party every day, complete with DJs, bottle service, and hot chicks with douchebags. 

The downside of the nightclubs and day clubs is that they are super expensive, overhyped, and full of obnoxious drunk tourists. As a local, you probably won’t even be going to a club or a pool party on the Strip unless you have friends in town. Luckily, Vegas has a serious local’s nightlife scene too. 

Downtown Las Vegas (yes there is a small downtown) and the new(ish) Arts District are full of speakeasies, microbreweries, and trendy bars. It’s a side of Vegas that most visitors never see and it’s a whole lot of fun.

There are also bars and pubs scattered all around the city, including my personal favorite country bar Stoney’s, which is known for line dancing and bikini-clad bartenders. Unfortunately Stoney’s has gone south over the years and is no longer what it used to be. Still fun for a night of live music though, even if you don’t like country (like me). 

Con #8: Recession prone due to the reliance on tourism  

Perhaps the biggest downside of moving to Las Vegas is that you live and die based on the economy (both domestic and international). The economic well being of the city is completely dependent on tourism, and when recessions come, the tourists stop flocking to the city to gamble their hard earned money away.

Even if you don’t work in the service industry, your job is directly or indirectly related to the service industry. The recession of 2008 and the covid pandemic of 2020 both dealt serious blows to the city. Luckily Las Vegas bounced back pretty quickly from the covid situation.

The recession of 2008 hit the city really hard and it was years before things got back to normal again. As I said before I absolutely loved living in Las Vegas. Why do you think I left?

I was an engineer who designed hotels on the Strip. Recession meant the big companies like MGM and Harrah’s weren’t exactly keen to build more hotels! So needless to say, leaving the city wasn’t really voluntary unless I wanted to live off unemployment until it ran out.  

Pro #9: Awesome people from all over the world

Las Vegas is a transient community and most people you’ll meet grew up somewhere else. I know very few people that are actually from Las Vegas (fun fact: Jimmy Kimmel is from Las Vegas, not that I know him or anything…).

My friends and colleagues were from all over the country and world. It was an eclectic group and some of my closest friends these days are from my Las Vegas days. 

Vegas attracts all sorts of people looking for new opportunities and adventures. You will certainly make good friends in Las Vegas. So if you’re concerned with things like social life and meeting new people, don’t be! Everyone else in Vegas is in the same boat. 

Con #9: Also horrible people from all over the world

While Las Vegas has awesome people, it also has some of the worst people you will ever meet. Something about the city attracts some awful people, concerned with nothing more than themselves, damn those who get in the way. If I think about the worst people I’ve ever known, they’re literally all from my time in Vegas. 

That being said, there are more good people than bad people and you should be able to filter the bad people out easily. The good friends you make will obscure the bad!

Pro #10: National parks galore

Las Vegas’s location is ideal when it comes to visiting America’s beautiful national parks. In fact, Las Vegas has more national parks within a 5-hour drive than anywhere else in the country (tied with Salt Lake City). And not just any national parks, some of the best and most underrated national parks(link) we have! 

Here is a list of the national parks you can visit on a standard weekend getaway from Las Vegas, 5 hours or less: 

• Death Valley: 2 hour drive 
• Zion: 2.5 hour drive 
• Grand Canyon: 4 hour drive 
• Great Basin: 4.5 hour drive 
• Joshua Tree: 4 hour drive 
• Bryce Canyon: 4 hour drive 
• Kings Canyon: 4.5 hour drive (to east entrance) 

If you don’t mind driving and you want to extend your radius to 8 hours you get to add on Arches, Canyonlands, Sequoia, Yosemite, Petrified Forest, Pinnacles, and Saguaro. Not to mention tons of national monuments, recreation areas, national forests and amazing state parks!

Las Vegas is the perfect place to start a road trip around Utah and really the perfect place to start any journey around the western United States. 

Quite simply, if you love nature and hiking and getting out into the wilderness on the weekends, there is literally no better place to live than Las Vegas. I miss this most of all! 

Con #10: Water scarcity

As it’s the middle of the Mojave desert, it doesn’t rain a whole lot. All the water comes from the Colorado river and that river is shared by multiple states and its water supply is running dry. To account for this, the city of Las Vegas has imposed serious water restrictions on its residents. 

You can have grass in your yard if you really want but the water service incentivizes replacing grass with desert landscaping by offering serious rebates ($3 per square foot of yard). Isn’t a yard full of various cactus species better anyways?

The city has been replacing public grass areas with desert landscaping for years and thanks to the massive effort by the local government and residents, Las Vegas has an incredibly low per capita water usage. 

So if you love having a finely manicured lawn with plants and greenery, Vegas is going to be a bit difficult for you. Personally I prefer a yard full of desert flora like cacti and yuccas, but it’s not for everyone.  

Pro #11: You can fly direct to almost everywhere

Being such a major vacation destination, Las Vegas has direct flights to just about every city in the United States and a lot of international destinations like Amsterdam, London and Seoul as well.

How many American cities have flights to Sioux Falls (SD), Asheville (NC), and Omaha (NE)? And there are tons of other regional airports that fly direct to Las Vegas. So no matter where you’re from there is likely a direct flight home. 

Con #11: The airlines based in Las Vegas are not the best

Harry Reid International Airport is a hub for Allegiant, Frontier, Spirit, and Southwest. Not exactly a list of the best airlines in the United States. At least Southwest is overall a good airline, though they used to be much more dependable than they are today.

Southwest flies to just about every airport they operate in from Las Vegas, so if you do move to Vegas it’s worth investing in the Southwest Chase Visa credit card. 

Pro #12: Your friends will always want to visit you

When you move to Las Vegas all of a sudden everyone wants to be buddies with you again. It’s definitely the one place you can move where your friends will almost certainly come visit you, even if they’re not really coming just to visit you. You will have friends in town all the time. In fact, you might actually get tired of it after a while. 

I recommend suggesting to your friends that you’ll drive them around and give them the Las Vegas local experience, off the Strip, especially if it involves a trip to Red Rock Canyon or Valley of Fire. They’ll be hesitant at first but they’ll thank you later. 

Con #12: Many of your Vegas friends are going to move away

Since Las Vegas is such a transient community, you’re going to have to accept that even if you never leave, many of your friends and colleagues will. This is not to say that everyone will leave. Many people do settle in Las Vegas and live amazing lives in the desert. But it’s reasonable to expect that a solid percentage of your personal contacts will move away at some point.

Pro #13: The desert is stunningly beautiful

One thing many people don’t realize about Las Vegas is that it’s surrounded by mountains in all directions. The Spring Mountains to the west are consistently covered in snow throughout the winter. The highest peak – Mount Charleston – sits at 11,918 feet above sea level.

Las Vegas itself is 2,001 feet along the strip, which means that the mountains you’re seeing are nearly 10,000 feet above you. For comparison, if you’re in Denver looking at the Rockies the highest peaks are about 9,000 feet above you.  

Some of the flat, brushy desert land outside the city can be repetitive. But even then there are Joshua trees, red rocks, and other geological formations to keep you entertained. The beauty of the Mojave Desert should not be underestimated!

The Pros and Cons of Living in Las Vegas – Final Word 

Hopefully by now you have a better sense of if moving to Las Vegas is right for you. There are so many amazing things about living in this beaming city in the desert, but also a lot of things to be concerned about.

If Las Vegas is anything, it’s one-of-a-kind. Nowhere will you get a similar experience to living in Las Vegas. Should you decide to make the move I wish you luck, and if you decide it’s not for you then I hope this article helped you make the right decision.