When most people think of Las Vegas, they think of one of the country’s top destinations for vacations. But Las Vegas is also a great place to put down roots. Here are eight reasons you should consider moving to Las Vegas.
1. Cost of Living
Many people assume the cost of living in a city like Las Vegas must be prohibitively expensive. The truth, however, is that the city’s vibrant entertainment sector is the very thing that helps keep the cost of living there close to the national average.
According to Payscale.com, the cost of living in Las Vegas is only 3% higher than the national average. For workers in some industries, the cost is quite a bit lower than the national average. Cost varies greatly, also, depending on the neighborhood: tourist areas, like the Strip, and some suburbs, like Henderson, can be pricey, but other communities, like North Las Vegas, are comparatively affordable.
The median home price in Las Vegas is 8% higher than the national average, but the cost of rentals is much closer to the national average, at $980 for a one-bedroom apartment and $1,250 for a two-bedroom.
Housing isn’t the only variable in calculating the cost of living, of course. Groceries cost 4% more than elsewhere in the country, and transportation is 14% more, but utilities are 10% less, and healthcare is 7% less.
2. Job Market
According to Indeed.com, the job market in Las Vegas is strong when compared to the rest of the country: while the rest of the country has experienced a 12-month decline of 32% in job postings, in Las Vegas, the fall has been only 6%.
Las Vegas has a thriving tourist and hospitality industry; the city’s other top employers are in health care, technology, administration, and education. While the average annual salary across the city is 13% lower than the national average, in some sectors—such as healthcare and education—it is considerably higher.
3. Income Taxes
When tourists flock to the casinos of Las Vegas, they’re doing more than just playing the tables: they’re playing an essential role in funding the city because Nevada has no income tax for residents. To make up for that lost revenue, Nevada does impose a 6.85% sales tax and many fees, mainly on gaming and entertainment. But for residents, that means they get to take home a more substantial portion of their paycheck each week
4. Indoor Recreation
The same casinos and entertainment venues that draw tourists from around the world are also available for residents to enjoy. Living in Las Vegas means having year-round access to some of the best gaming opportunities and top-billed musical and live performance acts anywhere on the globe, as well as a tremendous diversity of fine and casual dining. Often promoters and producers offer special discounts for locals.
5. Outdoor Recreation
Some of the most beautiful natural areas and parks in the country surround Las Vegas. These are a perfect place for residents to escape to when they need a quick break from the intense city life. In the winter, you might go skiing or snowboarding on Mount Charleston, or in warmer months cruise on Lake Mead, zip-line in Bootleg Canyon, or get in a few holes of golf at Angel Park. For the truly adventurous, nothing beats cycling in Red Rock Canyon, kayaking on the Colorado River, or hiking the Valley of Fire.
6. Schools
The Clark County School District is home to some of the top-rated schools in Nevada, according to Niche.com, including the state’s second and third highest-rated high schools and its third highest-rated elementary school. In addition, Las Vegas is home to the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, the state’s premier research university.
7. The Weather
With its desert location, Las Vegas can sometimes hit very high temperatures in the peak of summer, and it gets relatively cold in the heart of winter. But compared to other desert cities, Las Vegas enjoys a generally comfortable and stable climate. Its geographic position, with proximity to the mountains and Lake Mead, means the city regularly experiences a refreshing breeze, and the air is never too humid.
8. Communities
Las Vegas is more than just the Strip. When it comes to choosing what kind of a community in which you want to live, you’ll find that Las Vegas has a tremendous variety of neighborhoods. Whether you’re looking for a dense, urban area or a planned, suburban community, a quiet, rural location, or a cozy neighborhood with a small-town feel, you’ll find the kind of community you’re looking for somewhere around Las Vegas.