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Las Vegas
#13 of 124
North America

Las Vegas

NV, United States

Salary & Cost of Living

View purchasing power ranking

How do salaries and expenses in Las Vegas compare to San Francisco?

Purchasing Power Comparison

An engineer in Las Vegas is 16% worse off vs in San Francisco

This shows how far a software engineer's salary goes in Las Vegas compared to San Francisco, taking into account both salary differences and cost of living.

Median Salary
$125,000
-$147K (-54%) vs San Francisco
Based on 57 data points from levels.fyi
Net Salary
$89,375
-$83K (-48%) vs San Francisco
Tax Rate: 29%

Community Insights

New

Las Vegas has emerged as a top-tier destination for remote software engineers focused on financial optimization. With no state income tax and a cost of living ranked #72, your take-home pay stretches significantly further here than in coastal hubs. However, the trade-off is a limited local tech ecosystem; if you aren't working remotely or in gaming (slot machines/casino backend), career options are sparse.

Culturally, the city is polarized. You have access to world-class entertainment and stunning outdoors (Sunshine rank #2), but you must endure brutal summers and a somewhat gritty, transient urban environment (Safety rank #96). It is a city of convenience and consumption rather than a traditional community-focused tech hub.

Resident Sentiment

The sentiment among tech transplants is largely pragmatic and positive regarding finances, but mixed on lifestyle. Many ex-Californians express relief at their increased savings rate and ability to buy homes (#21 rank in affordability). However, a common theme is the "golden handcuffs" of remote work; residents often feel they cannot leave their remote role because the local salaries don't compete. Long-term residents warn that the "novelty" of the Strip wears off quickly, and you are left with a hot, sprawling city that requires effort to love.

Living Environment

Weather•Safety•Pollution•Events

A quick look at climate, safety, pollution, and tech community compared to San Francisco.

Rankings

Purchasing Power

Top 10%

#13

of 124 cities

Home Affordability

Top 19%

#24

of 124 cities

≈3.4 yrs to buy 80m²

Current value

Net Income

Top 21%

#26

of 124 cities

$89,375/yr

Current value

Housing Affordability

View affordability ranking

How affordable is housing for a software engineer in Las Vegas compared to San Francisco?

Avg. Property Price
$3,777 / m²
62% cheaper than San Francisco
View detailed property prices on Numbeo

Salary Converter

Enter your annual gross salary (before taxes) to see what you would need to earn in Las Vegas to maintain the same standard of living.

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Do you have kids?

Cost of Living
39% cheaper than San Francisco
View detailed cost breakdown on Numbeo

Top Paying Companies in Las Vegas

Microsoft logo
Microsoft
MGM Resorts International logo
MGM Resorts International
Light & Wonder logo
Light & Wonder

The Good

  • Zero state income tax combined with a relatively low cost of living (#72 ranking) makes it a financial haven for remote workers leaving high-tax states like California.
  • Abundant entertainment and dining options are world-class, with locals enjoying discounts at many casinos and restaurants off the Strip.
  • Proximity to outdoor recreation is frequently praised, with Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire, and Mt. Charleston offering hiking and climbing just minutes away from the suburbs.
  • High sunshine hours (ranking #2 of 124 cities) provides a bright and sunny climate year-round, which many transplants find uplifting compared to gloomier tech hubs.
  • Traffic and commuting are significantly better than in major tech hubs like the Bay Area or Los Angeles, with a grid system that makes getting around the valley predictable.

The Bad

  • Extreme summer heat (highs around 40°C) is a major complaint; residents describe it as "oppressive" and essentially necessitating an indoor lifestyle for 3-4 months of the year.
  • Limited local tech job market outside of the gaming/gambling industry; there are very few "big tech" satellite offices, making career growth difficult if you lose a remote job.
  • Safety concerns are frequently mentioned, reflected in the low Safety Index rank (#96), with residents advising careful research on specific neighborhoods to avoid crime.
  • Transient social vibe can make it hard to build deep, long-term friendships, as the city has a high turnover rate and a 24/7 culture that can feel disjointed.
  • Public education and healthcare systems are often cited by residents as lacking compared to other major metros, which is a concern for families.

The Verdict

You'll love it if...

Remote-first senior engineers who want to maximize their savings and purchasing power (#14 rank) without sacrificing big-city amenities. It is also ideal for outdoor enthusiasts who don't mind the heat and want access to world-class climbing and hiking on weekends. Single professionals who enjoy nightlife and dining will find the lifestyle unbeatable for the price.

Skip it if...

Junior developers relying on in-office mentorship or frequent job hopping to build a career, as the local market is too small. People sensitive to extreme heat or those who get depressed by "brown" desert landscapes should stay away. Families prioritizing top-tier public schools and a traditional "safe" suburban feel might find the safety rankings and education system concerning.

Updated 11/29/2025

Weather2.7/10-69% vs San Francisco
Safety45+13%
Pollution52+5%
Events3-94%
2.7/10TechCities weather score vs 8.7/10 in San Francisco

0–10 composite (higher is better) combining temperature comfort, sunshine hours, rainy-day count, and humid days. See methodology for weighting and data sources.

Weather snapshot

Average High
27°C(vs 19°C in San Francisco)
Average Low
15°C(vs 12°C in San Francisco)
Sunshine Hours
3,825h/yr+764h/yr(+25%)
Hottest Month High
40°C(vs 22°C in San Francisco)
Coldest Month Low
4°C(vs 8°C in San Francisco)
Rainy Days
23/yr-26/yr(-53%)

Community & Quality

Las Vegas community pulse

Las Vegas has 3 Luma events listed.

94% fewer events than San Francisco.

Tax Rate

Top 28%

#35

of 124 cities

29%

Current value (lower is better)

Community Events

Middle of the pack

#67

of 124 cities

3 events on luma

Current value

Cost of Living

Middle of the pack

#69

of 124 cities

55/100

Current value (lower is better)

Pollution Score

Middle of the pack

#72

of 124 cities

51.5/100

Current value (lower is better)

Safety Index

Bottom 24%

#95

of 124 cities

44.5/100

Current value

Comfortable Weather

Bottom 18%

#103

of 124 cities

27/100 weather score

Current value

SWE Affordability
3.4 years
1.3 years quicker than San Francisco
Muggy Days
2/yr(same as San Francisco)
Cloud Cover
26%(vs 34% in San Francisco)