Cost of Living: Chicago vs Las Vegas (2026)

Chicago vs Las Vegas cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Las Vegas is about 3% less expensive than Chicago overall — $100,000 in Chicago is worth about $96,737 in Las Vegas.

Las Vegas is about 3% less expensive than Chicago overall — $100,000 in Chicago is worth about $96,737 in Las Vegas.

Chicago vs Las Vegas: the numbers

MetricChicagoLas VegasDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)104100-3%
Median rent$1,380$1,456+6%
Median home value$315,200$395,300+25%
Median household income$75,134$70,723-6%

Cost of living = BEA Regional Price Parities (US average = 100). Rent, home value, and income from the U.S. Census ACS. See our methodology.

What your salary is worth

A $100,000 salary in Chicago has the same buying power as about $96,737 in Las Vegas. Going the other way, $100,000 in Las Vegas is like $103,373 in Chicago.

Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Chicago and Las Vegas.

Compare any salary: Chicago vs Las Vegas

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 104 vs 100 — a 3% difference. Your money goes further in Las Vegas.

About $96,737 — that's what you'd need in Las Vegas to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Chicago.