Are you considering a move to a vibrant city full of lights and entertainment? Before making the big decision, read on to find out more about living in Las Vegas, Nevada.
This article will discuss the pros and cons of Las Vegas so you can make an informed decision that’s right for you and your family.
Geography and Climate of Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada is known for its vibrant nightlife, unique cultural attractions, and exciting entertainment.
But before making a decision to relocate here, it’s important to understand the geography and climate of the city.
Las Vegas is located in the deserts of southern Nevada and has intense heat and dry air year-round. The average daily temperature in Las Vegas typically hovers around 80 degrees Fahrenheit while temperatures can reach as high as 110 degrees in the summer months.
The weather rarely drops below freezing between December to February with temperatures staying in the 50-60 degree range on average.
Las Vegas may have low levels of precipitation throughout the year but its desert environment creates extreme periods of humidity with rapid drops in barometric pressure that can feel piercing to sensitive skin types.
With only four inches (10 cm) of annual rainfall and an arid climate due to low humidity, long-term residents will need to invest in an expensive air conditioning unit or take part in activities that keep air moist such as filling up inflatable pools or using cooling systems like humidifiers or dehumidifiers.
Overall, living in Las Vegas comes with some unique geophysical challenges like baking heat and dry air but plenty of rewards too such as over 300 sunny days per year which makes it ideal for outdoor activities like golfing, fishing, and even sky diving!
Knowing early on how geography affects temperature and humidity will allow you to plan ahead and help you make educated decisions when considering relocating there.
Economic Pros and Cons
Las Vegas is widely known for its vibrant nightlife, entertainment, and attractive atmosphere. It is no surprise that more and more people are deciding to make it their home.
With the influx of residents, it’s important to consider the economic pros and cons of living in Las Vegas.
The most obvious pro when it comes to Las Vegas is its abundance of job opportunities. While this obviously comes with the positive of high wages, what many people don’t realize is that these jobs can often be fairly low-paying when housing costs are taken into consideration.
According to The Nevada Independent, the cost of living in Las Vegas rose significantly over the past year, meaning that residents need to earn a relatively high salary in order to maintain their lifestyle.
Overall, while there may be a plethora of jobs available in Las Vegas – which can easily draw those looking for new employment – this increase in cost may, unfortunately, price some potential new residents out of considering the area as their potential home.
On the flip side, one possible con associated with living in Las Vegas is the taxes associated with living within Nevada state borders; specifically sales tax (8.375%) and property tax (0.75%).
These taxes rank above average compared to other states throughout the country making it important for any potential resident or family unit looking at a move there to understand how increased taxation could take a toll on their finances before committing themselves there long-term.
Las Vegas has much going for it but prospective residents need to consider both sides carefully when weighing up the pros and cons associated with making a move there.
Economically speaking, although there are higher wages, the significantly higher cost of living plus higher taxes than found elsewhere should carefully be calculated prior to any big decision regarding moving to Las Vegas.
25 Top places to see in Nevada, USA
Las Vegas Strip: Famous for its vibrant nightlife, casinos, hotels, and entertainment, the Strip is a must-visit for its dazzling lights and attractions.
Hoover Dam: This impressive feat of engineering on the border between Nevada and Arizona offers tours and stunning views of the Colorado River.
Lake Tahoe: A beautiful alpine lake offering year-round recreation, including skiing, boating, hiking, and stunning scenery.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area: Located just outside of Las Vegas, this area features stunning red rock formations, hiking trails, and scenic drives.
Valley of Fire State Park: Known for its vibrant red sandstone formations and petroglyphs, this state park offers hiking and photography opportunities.
Great Basin National Park: Explore the diverse landscapes, including ancient bristlecone pines, the Lehman Caves, and the stunning Wheeler Peak.
Reno: Known as “The Biggest Little City in the World,” Reno offers casinos, entertainment, and outdoor activities, particularly around Lake Tahoe.
Fremont Street Experience: A pedestrian mall in downtown Las Vegas featuring a massive LED canopy, live music, and street performances.
Black Rock Desert: Famous for hosting the annual Burning Man festival, this desert offers unique landscapes and an expansive playa.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area: Enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, and hiking around the largest reservoir in the United States.
Mount Charleston: A great escape from the desert heat, offering hiking, skiing, and scenic views just outside of Las Vegas.
The Neon Museum: Located in Las Vegas, this museum showcases iconic neon signs from the city’s history.
Nevada State Museum, Carson City: Learn about Nevada’s history, including exhibits on mining, natural history, and the famous silver boom.
Mob Museum: Located in Las Vegas, this museum offers exhibits on the history of organized crime and law enforcement.
Elko: Known for its cowboy culture, visit the Western Folklife Center and the annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
Pyramid Lake: A stunning desert lake known for its unique tufa rock formations and excellent fishing opportunities.
Tonopah: Explore this historic mining town and visit the Tonopah Historic Mining Park and the Central Nevada Museum.
Lamoille Canyon: Often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of Nevada,” this scenic area offers hiking, camping, and breathtaking views.
Area 51: While you can’t enter the top-secret military base, you can visit the nearby town of Rachel and the Extraterrestrial Highway.
Goldfield: A historic mining town with well-preserved buildings, the Goldfield Historic District, and the International Car Forest of the Last Church.
Laughlin: A resort town along the Colorado River offering casinos, riverfront activities, and entertainment.
Virginia City: Step back in time in this historic mining town with its preserved 19th-century buildings, museums, and saloons.
Rhyolite: Explore the remains of this ghost town near Death Valley, featuring historic ruins and unique art installations.
Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park: Visit this park to see the fossilized remains of giant ichthyosaurs and explore the historic ghost town of Berlin.
Ely: Discover this town’s rich mining history, visit the Nevada Northern Railway Museum, and explore nearby Great Basin National Park.
Cost of Living
Before planning to move to Las Vegas, Nevada, it’s important to consider the cost of living in the area. While rent prices and mortgage costs in Las Vegas can be relatively low compared to other major cities, the expense of living there can add up quickly.
As of Jan 2023, the average price of a home in Las Vegas is around $425,000. The national average is $293,000.
Utility bills are typically high throughout Nevada due to a favorable climate and the fact that many homes in Southern Nevada have air-conditioning, meaning a higher electricity bill.
The cost of groceries, gas, and food is typically higher than in other parts of the US as well.
When looking at housing costs in Las Vegas, it’s important to consider taxes. Both sales tax and property tax are considerably higher than taxes in other states thanks to Nevada’s tourism industry.
Additionally, insurance rates for both cars and homes tend to be astronomical due to a lack of regulation from the state government.
Overall, the cost of living in Las Vegas is 3% higher than the national average.
Education and Learning Opportunities
Education and learning opportunities in Las Vegas, Nevada should be a top priority for anyone considering moving to the city.
School ratings for the area demonstrate overall quality, but parents should pay attention to rankings for individual schools when considering neighborhoods.
The Clark County School District is the fifth-largest district in the USA, with 380 schools covering kindergarten through twelfth grade and offering a wide range of educational opportunities.
When it comes to higher education, Las Vegas has several excellent universities as well as related facilities such as community colleges and technical schools.
The University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) and National University offer bachelor’s degrees in many fields, while the College of Southern Nevada offers a range of associate’s programs in various specialties including nursing and business.
For those looking to further their education, there are numerous private universities available – such as Touro University Nevada –which specialize in particular courses like healthcare, law, and fine arts.
The availability of educational resources makes living in Las Vegas an attractive proposition for people looking to gain knowledge or pursue higher education goals.
If you’re looking for learning opportunities that provide growth without compromising your quality time with family or putting too much strain on your wallet, Las Vegas may just be the place you are looking for!
Transportation
As mentioned, Las Vegas, Nevada is bustling with excitement and opportunities, but what about the transportation options? When considering the pros and cons of living in this vibrant city, it’s important to understand how you will get around.
Public transportation is available in Las Vegas by way of the city’s Regional Transportation Commission (RTC). The RTC offers bus service to all parts of the city and some express routes also enable commuters to reach unique destinations quickly.
Rides must be purchased prior to boarding and there are discounts available for seniors, students, children, and more.
While convenient, the public transportation system can be impacted by traffic delays on highways or crowded roads.
If you prefer private transport, owning a car is not necessary in Las Vegas thanks to the availability of rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft. Busy commuters may find they can rely solely on these services without having to own a vehicle of their own or pay for parking fees every month.
Additionally, carpooling with neighbors or local ride-share meetups is becoming increasingly popular as well.
Overall, transportation in Las Vegas has its pros and cons like many other cities across America; however, with an abundance of public transit options coupled with convenient private rideshares, getting from point A to point B shouldn’t be too difficult no matter how busy traffic may get.
Crime
Living in Las Vegas, Nevada offers many advantages, but it is important to consider the city’s crime rate before making a decision to move there.
According to statistical data, the crime rate in Las Vegas is significantly higher than the national average. This has been partially attributed to the influx of visitors and tourism in this popular destination city.
Violent crimes, property crimes, and other types of criminal activities occur more frequently in Las Vegas compared to other cities in the United States.
However, there are also many security cameras installed throughout the city that help discourage criminal activity. Additionally, local law enforcement agencies are constantly monitoring public areas to ensure the safety and protection of their citizens.
There are also a number of neighborhood watch programs that have proven to be very successful at curbing illegal activities in this area.
Given all these factors, one should weigh their pros and cons before living anywhere – especially when considering the risk associated with living in various regions like Las Vegas – where there is an increased chance for victims of crime or violence due to its large population and tourist attractions.
Entertainment and Nightlife
When considering the pros and cons of living in Las Vegas, Nevada, entertainment and nightlife must be included. The city is known for its vibrant nightlife scene and its range of exciting activities and attractions that make it a great place for current and potential residents alike.
The city hosts an abundance of fine dining restaurants, bars, and pubs for locals or tourists. There are also an array of clubs and nightclubs that offer unique experiences depending on the day of the week or time of year.
Depending on your scene preference, you’ll never be bored in Las Vegas as options range from dancing to karaoke to live music venues. Not to forget all the amazing casino options!
You have a variety of choices for casual night gaming, gambling games, and other forms of entertainment such as concerts, tournaments, shows, events, etc.
The costs associated with this kind of activity can easily increase your monthly expenses – drinks at a bar or nightclub can quickly add up if you’re not careful – so it’s important to keep this in mind when calculating your budget.
At the end of the day, Las Vegas offers plenty when it comes to entertainment and nightlife regardless of whether you’re a local resident or passing through as a tourist.
As long as you know how to manage your costs accordingly while keeping your needs in mind, you will surely find something fun whatever mood you’re in!
Quality of Life
Las Vegas offers a variety of experiences and amenities, making it an attractive city to live in. Despite the popular image of Las Vegas as a playground for adult entertainment and bright lights, living in the city offers some advantages.
People can relax in the many spas, golf courses, hotels, and casinos found throughout the city. Additionally, residents of Las Vegas have convenient access to world-class entertainment of all kinds, including shows on the Strip, galleries at Red Rock Canyon or nightclubs near downtown.
On a more practical note, life in Las Vegas can be relatively affordable – especially compared to other large cities like New York or Los Angeles.
The Sunshine State is known for its friendlier tax laws that allow taxpayers to deduct state income tax from their federal income tax returns.
Costs related to housing are also lower than those you’d find in other metropolitan areas.
Yet despite the many pros that come with living in this southern Nevada desert oasis, there are still some cons potential residents should consider when deciding if it’s right for them.
High temperatures and summer heat waves are commonplace during summer months and desert winds create stifling air conditions year-round. Additionally, some parts of town can be crime-ridden or dangerous.
Many people rent cars to get around town due to infrequent public transit trips outside downtown Las Vegas – so factor car rental costs into your budget when considering whether moving here makes financial sense for you and your family.
Taxes in Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas has a number of taxes to consider, including income tax, sales tax, and property tax.
There are no local taxes on personal income and there are no special rates for different income types or residence lengths either.
When it comes to sales taxes, things can become more complicated since there may be additional charges applied by counties and municipalities on top of the standard rate set by the state government (currently 6.85%).
The state’s combined sales tax rate of 8.375%, which as of Jan 2022 is the 13th lowest rate in the United States.
That said, Nevada does not have any excise taxes on items like cigarettes or alcohol which adds some incentive for those who want to purchase those items regularly.
Las Vegas also imposes a property tax on residential homes and businesses at an annual rate of 0.5%-0.75%.
This compares favorably with other cities such as Los Angeles (0.82%) but is not overly competitive nationally; some states impose rates above 3%.
Ultimately, this means that living in Las Vegas doesn’t necessarily save you money in terms of taxation when compared to other cities around the US; it’s best to do your own research before relocating so you know what to expect regarding your individual situation!