Las Vegas, famously known as the ‘Entertainment Capital of the World,’ isn’t just a fun place to visit but also a great city for students looking to study abroad. But before packing your bags and heading to this vibrant city, it’s important to understand the cost of living in Las Vegas.
From rent to groceries and everyday expenses, knowing the costs can help you plan your budget and enjoy your time studying without breaking the bank. This blog will give you a clear idea of what the living cost in Las Vegas will be. So, let’s get started.
Table of contents
What is the Cost of Living in Las Vegas?
Living in the popular U.S. city of Las Vegas can be an exciting adventure, full of entertainment, world-class dining, and vibrant nightlife. If you’re planning to study there, it’s important to understand the cost of living in Las Vegas to manage your budget effectively. Here’s a simple look at how much it costs to live in Las Vegas:
- According to the LivingCost website, the average monthly cost of living in Las Vegas for one person is around USD 2,246, including rent.
- If you’re living without rent, the cost drops to approximately USD 868.
- On average, rent and utilities will cost you about USD 1,378, depending on your accommodation type and location.
- Grocery shopping and dining out typically amount to USD 591 per month.
- Getting around Las Vegas will cost you approximately USD 138 per month, depending on whether you use public transportation or drive your own car.
So, with all these factors in mind, living in Las Vegas can be affordable or expensive depending on your lifestyle choices and where you choose to live. To estimate your expenses more accurately, you can use a cost of living calculator.
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Average Tuition Fees in Las Vegas
Tuition costs in Las Vegas depend on the school and the program you choose. For public four-year colleges, the average cost for in-state (local) students is about USD 6,465 per year. However, if you are an out-of-state student, the tuition increases to around USD 20,352 per year. Private colleges and universities usually have higher tuition fees, with an average cost of about USD 28,576 per year.
Rental Costs
Las Vegas offers affordable housing options for students, making it a great choice for your higher studies! A one-bedroom apartment usually costs between USD 1,200 to USD 1,500 per month, and sharing with roommates can save you more. Compared to cities like Los Angeles or San Francisco, the cost of living in Las Vegas is much lower. Check out the table below to find the approximate rent for housing in Las Vegas, both in the city centre and outside of it:
| Details | Approx Price in USD |
| 1 bedroom apartment in City Center, 40 m2 or 430 ft2 | 1,259 |
| Cheap 1 bedroom apartment, 40 m2 or 430 ft2 | 1,133 |
| 3 bedroom apartment in City Center, 80 m2 or 860 ft2 | 2,413 |
| Cheap 3 bedroom apartment, 80 m2 or 860 ft2 | 1,989 |
Utility Costs
For one person, the basic monthly utility bill in Las Vegas is around USD 200 to USD 300. This includes electricity, water, heating, cooling, and garbage. It’s fairly affordable compared to other living costs in the city. Below is a table showing utility costs in Las Vegas, especially helpful for immigrant students.
| Details | Approx Cost / Month (USD) |
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | 250.15 |
| Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data | 73.30 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | 69.11 |
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Transportation Costs
Getting around Las Vegas is easy and affordable. You can travel by bus, monorail, taxi, or even bike. The famous Strip and other places are easy to reach with these options. Whether you like to walk or take a ride, Las Vegas makes it simple to get around. Below, we’ve listed the different transportation options and their fares for your reference.
| Details | Price in USD |
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | 3 |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | 64.5 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | 3.5 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | 1.86 |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | 32.4 |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | 1.07 |
Grocery and Food Costs
Living in Las Vegas as a student can be affordable when it comes to food. A meal at a cheap restaurant costs about USD 18, and fast food like McDonald’s is around USD 12. A three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant costs about USD 71.
However, cooking at home is a great way to save money. It lets you control your meals, eat healthier, and reduce costs. To help you plan your grocery budget, we’ve provided a list of common grocery items and their prices in Las Vegas.
| Grocery Items | Approx Cost (USD) | Quantity |
| Milk | 0.98 | 1 litre |
| Bread | 3.17 | 0.5 kg |
| Rice | 4.36 | 1 kg |
| Eggs | 3.75 | 12 eggs |
| Cheese | 12.8 | 1 kg |
| Chicken Breast | 9.51 | 1 kg |
| Round Steak | 15.6 | 1 kg |
| Apples | 3.98 | 1 kg |
| Banana | 1.47 | 1 kg |
| Oranges | 3.23 | 1 kg |
| Tomato | 3.88 | 1 kg |
| Potato | 2.3 | 1 kg |
| Onion | 2.54 | 1 kg |
| Water | 1.4 | 1 litre |
| Coca-Cola / Pepsi | 2.83 | 2 litres |
| Wine (mid-priced) | 16 | 750 mL |
| Beer | 2.39 | 0.5 litre |
| Cigarette pack | 9.31 | 1 pack |
| Cold medicine | 10.4 | 1 week |
| Hair Shampoo | 5.41 | 1 bottle |
| Toilet paper | 3.72 | 4 rolls |
| Toothpaste | 1.77 | 1 tube |
Healthcare Costs
When planning to study abroad in Las Vegas, it’s important to consider the overall cost of living, including healthcare expenses. Healthcare prices can vary based on the type of service and the provider. Here’s a quick look at what you can expect to pay for common medical visits:
- Doctor’s visit: USD 115.92
- Dentist visit: USD 100.01
- Optometrist visit: USD 109.19
- Veterinary visit: USD 53.88
Entertainment and Leisure Costs
Living in Las Vegas as a student isn’t just about paying for the essentials like rent and groceries—you’ll also want to have fun and enjoy your time there! You can visit beautiful parks in the USA for your recreational activities, and enjoy the local restaurants and other attractions. If you love shopping, you can also explore shopping districts in the USA
Here’s a breakdown of some entertainment and fun expenses you might want to plan for:
| Miscellaneous Items | Approx Cost (USD) |
| Gym Membership, 1 month | 26.70 |
| Cinema Ticket, 1 person | 13.50 |
| Doctor’s visit | 93.30 |
| Haircut, simple | 16.80 |
| Brand Jeans | 49 |
| Brand Sneakers | 93 |
Living in Las Vegas as a student is exciting, but managing your budget is important. With careful planning, you can enjoy everything the state has to offer without spending too much. From exploring nature to attending events and trying local food, there’s so much to do. Sticking to a budget helps you enjoy your time without worrying about money.
We hope you enjoyed reading our blog on Cost of Living in Las Vegas. For a stress-free stay during your study abroad adventure, choose Fly Homes. Call 1800572118 to reserve your ideal student accommodation abroad with ease.
FAQs on the Cost of Living in Las Vegas
The average cost of living for a single person in Las Vegas is around USD 2,000 to USD 2,500 per month. This includes rent, utilities, food, transportation, and other essentials.
To live comfortably in Las Vegas, a single person would need to earn around USD 50,000 to USD 60,000 annually. This amount should cover rent, utilities, food, transportation, and occasional entertainment, considering the average cost of living.
Las Vegas can be considered relatively affordable compared to other major U.S. cities, especially in terms of housing. However, the cost of living depends on your lifestyle and choices.
Las Vegas is cheaper primarily because of its lower property taxes, no state income tax, and a housing market that has traditionally been more affordable than major metropolitan cities. Additionally, the cost of goods and services, including food and healthcare, is lower in Nevada compared to many other states.
Yes, Las Vegas is generally much cheaper to live in than Los Angeles. Rent, utilities, and overall living costs are significantly lower in Las Vegas, making it a more affordable option for many people compared to LA.
Las Vegas can be worth moving to depending on your personal preferences. It offers no state income tax, relatively affordable housing, and a vibrant entertainment scene. However, if you’re not a fan of the desert climate or the city’s lively atmosphere, it might not be the right fit.
As of 2025, the minimum wage in Las Vegas is approximately USD 11.25 per hour for employers that do not offer health benefits and approximately USD 12.75 for those that do.
For a single person, the cost of living in Las Vegas is around USD 2,000 to USD 2,500 per month, depending on lifestyle and housing choices. Rent is a major cost, but it’s more affordable than in cities like Los Angeles or New York.
Living in Las Vegas is generally cheaper than in California. Rent and overall housing costs are lower, and Nevada’s lack of state income tax makes it a more affordable option than many parts of California, particularly in cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco.
The cost of living in Las Vegas is generally cheaper than in Chicago, especially in terms of housing. Rent and utilities tend to be lower in Las Vegas, but Chicago may have more expensive transportation and certain services. Overall, Las Vegas offers a more affordable lifestyle than Chicago.
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