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City comparison

Denver, CO vs Las Vegas, NV

Climate is the sharpest divide between Denver and Las Vegas. Denver averages 78°F while Las Vegas averages 93°F, a difference that affects utility bills, outdoor lifestyle, and how you feel nine months of the year. Rent runs $2,089 versus $1,735.

Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Las Vegas costs less and Denver pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.

The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Las Vegas at $1,735 average has pockets that run $1,535 and others at $2,135: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.

Full Denver reportFull Las Vegas report

Denver, CO

Rent
2,089/mo
Median income
85,853
Crime index
120
Schools
A-
Weather
78°F

Las Vegas, NV

Rent
1,735/mo
Median income
66,356
Crime index
112
Schools
A-
Weather
93°F

Rent

17% cheaper

Las Vegas rent is 17% cheaper than Denver

Denver

$2,089/mo

Las Vegas

Winner

$1,735/mo

What this means for your life

Typical rent runs $1,735 a month in Las Vegas versus $2,089 in Denver, so Las Vegas is 17% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $4,248, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Las Vegas still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Denver.

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Median income

29% higher

Denver's median income is 29% higher than Las Vegas

Denver

Winner

$85,853

Las Vegas

$66,356

What this means for your life

Median household income is $85,853 in Denver versus $66,356 in Las Vegas, so typical pay runs 29% higher in Denver (about $19,497 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Denver is the stronger labor market on paper. Las Vegas can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.

Crime index

7% lower crime

Las Vegas's crime index is 7% lower than Denver

Denver

120 (100 = avg)

Las Vegas

Winner

112 (100 = avg)

What this means for your life

Las Vegas's crime index is 112 versus 120 in Denver (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 7% lower in Las Vegas. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Las Vegas, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Denver. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.

School scores

Neck and neck

Denver and Las Vegas are about even on school scores.

Denver

A- · 84/100

Las Vegas

A- · 84/100

What this means for your life

School composites are effectively even (A- in Denver, A- in Las Vegas). For families with kids this is a warning if you assumed one city was obviously better. At this range the campus, not the city name, decides it. Tour the zoned elementary you would actually use.

Typical weather

156% more comfortable

Denver weather is 156% more comfortable than Las Vegas

Denver

Winner

78°F avg · 89°F highs · comfort 100/100

Las Vegas

93°F avg · 101°F highs · comfort 39/100

What this means for your life

Denver averages about 78°F (89°F highs); Las Vegas averages about 93°F (101°F highs). Denver sits near 78°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Las Vegas often hits 101°F highs, so expect heavy AC use and limited outdoor time in summer. Denver scores 156% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Las Vegas if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.

Fit check

Who should choose Denver

Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access

It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 29% higher ($85,853), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 78°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.

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Fit check

Who should choose Las Vegas

Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy

Las Vegas is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 17% cheaper here at about $1,735 a month. Choose Las Vegas if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.

Las Vegas is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 7% lower than Denver (112 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.

Open the Las Vegas report →

Bottom line

Denver vs Las Vegas: Our Take

Denver and Las Vegas split the scoreboard, so this page tips to Las Vegas as the stronger default package for most movers.

Las Vegas's typical rent runs 17% lower than Denver ($1,735/month vs $2,089/month), which is real money over a lease.

The main trade-off: Denver's median household income is 29% higher ($85,853 vs $66,356), which can offset housing cost for higher earners.

The decision comes down to whether you value cost of living more than the job market. For most middle-income movers, Las Vegas is the stronger choice.

Common questions

Denver vs Las Vegas FAQ

Is Denver cheaper than Las Vegas?
No. Las Vegas is cheaper: typical rent is $1,735 a month versus $2,089 in Denver (17% lower). Median household income is $85,853 in Denver compared with $66,356 in Las Vegas, so Denver has the stronger local pay picture.
Which city is safer, Denver or Las Vegas?
Las Vegas is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 112 versus 120 in Denver (7% lower; 100 is the national average). Citywide indexes still hide neighborhood variation, so walk the block you would actually rent.
Which city has better schools, Denver or Las Vegas?
School composites are close: A- in Denver and A- in Las Vegas. Tour specific campuses rather than picking a city on the letter grade alone.

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