Quick answer
St. Louis costs $295/month less overall ($1,580 vs $1,875/mo). But Las Vegas's None state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $3,960/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Las Vegas vs St. Louis
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Las Vegas vs St. Louis at a Glance
| Metric | Las Vegas | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,350 | $1,380 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,720 | $1,380 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $415K | $215K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $185 | $145 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $340 | $335 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,875 | $1,580 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 43/100 | 52/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 32/100 | 38/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | None ✓ | Up to 4.95% |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: St. Louis's 1BR averages $1,100/month vs $1,350 in Las Vegas — a $250/month difference, or $3,000/year. That's a meaningful gap worth factoring into your decision.
State tax: Las Vegas charges None state income tax vs Up to 4.95% in St. Louis. On an $80K salary that's a $3,960/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,940 vs $0 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in St. Louis are $215K vs $415K in Las Vegas. At a 20% down payment, that's a $40,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Las Vegas utilities run $40 more per month than St. Louis. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
St. Louis, MO
St. Louis is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Las Vegas
Desert: mild Oct–Apr (60s–70s°F); extreme dry heat June–Aug (110°F+ peaks); under 4 inches rain per year
St. Louis
Four seasons; hot humid summers, cold winters with ice storms, severe thunderstorm season
Job Market
Las Vegas top industries
St. Louis top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Las Vegas if…
- →You're a hospitality workers
- →You're a remote workers
- →You're a retirees
- →You're a entrepreneurs
- →You want zero state income tax
Move to St. Louis if…
- →You're a healthcare workers
- →You're a remote workers
- →You're a value-seekers
- →You're a manufacturing professionals
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Las Vegas or St. Louis cheaper to live in?
St. Louis is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,580 in St. Louis vs $1,875 in Las Vegas — a $295/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Las Vegas or St. Louis?
St. Louis is more walkable with a Walk Score of 52/100 vs 43/100. Las Vegas is more car-dependent.
Las Vegas vs St. Louis: which has lower state income tax?
Las Vegas has lower state income tax (None). On an $80K salary, that saves $3,960/year vs St. Louis (Up to 4.95%).
Is Las Vegas or St. Louis better for buying a home?
St. Louis has lower median home prices at $215K vs $415K in Las Vegas — a $200,000 difference on the median home.