City Comparison

Champaign vs Las Vegas

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Champaign

Illinois
81
Very Affordable
$215,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$56,100
Median Income

Las Vegas

Nevada
101
Average
$350,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$56,415
Median Income

The Verdict

19.8%

Living in Champaign costs 19.8% less than Las Vegas. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Champaign, you would need $93,519 in Las Vegas.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
83
Champaign
106
Las Vegas
Groceries
98
Champaign
101
Las Vegas
Utilities
106
Champaign
94
Las Vegas
Transportation
99
Champaign
107
Las Vegas
Healthcare
90
Champaign
96
Las Vegas

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Champaign has the same purchasing power as $93,519 in Las Vegas.

Conversely, $75,000 in Las Vegas equals $60,149 in Champaign.

Living in Champaign vs Las Vegas

Housing Costs

Champaign's housing index of 83 is lower Las Vegas's 106, translating to median home prices of $215,000 vs $350,000. The $135,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,772 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Champaign compared to $1,400/mo in Las Vegas, a monthly difference of $300.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Champaign and 101 in Las Vegas. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Champaign vs $480/month in Las Vegas. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 106 in Champaign and 94 in Las Vegas. Monthly utility bills average approximately $424 in Champaign vs $376 in Las Vegas. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 90 in Champaign and 96 in Las Vegas. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $56,100 in Champaign and $56,415 in Las Vegas. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,259 and $55,856 respectively. Champaign residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,309/month to housing in Champaign vs $1,316/month in Las Vegas. In Champaign, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Las Vegas, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Champaign is 19.8% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 101.
A $75,000 salary in Champaign has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $93,519 in Las Vegas, based on the cost of living difference.
Champaign's housing index is 83 with median homes at $215,000, while Las Vegas's is 106 with median homes at $350,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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