Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Las Vegas and Mesa have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Nevada salaries · Arizona salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Las Vegas has a housing index of 106 while Mesa sits at 98 (national average = 100). The median home in Las Vegas costs $350,000 compared to $350,000 in Mesa, a difference of $0. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,400 in Las Vegas versus $1,350 in Mesa.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Las Vegas scores 101 while Mesa scores 99. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Las Vegas (96) are higher than Mesa (95). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Las Vegas is $56,415 compared to $60,234 in Mesa. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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