Apartments for Rent in Las Vegas, NV - 3,616 Rentals available

Renter's Guide to Las Vegas

A sprawling desert metropolis with humble beginnings as a ranching outpost, Las Vegas is undoubtedly the largest entertainment hub on the entire West Coast – and possibly even the world. Though nicknamed “Sin City” by outsiders, locals will tell you they have found a delightful assortment of areas in which to carve out a living and call “home”.  

Located on the southern tip of the Nevadan border, Las Vegas is the largest city in the state, though only slightly larger than Reno and nearby Henderson. Las Vegas is 270 miles west of the Grand Canyon’s natural splendor, and 265 miles east from all that California has to enjoy.

The Las Vegas climate matches that of the Nevada desert regions; the majority of days are warm and sunny with a dry heat that’s great for exploring the outdoors. Summers (June-August) in the desert average 88 F with some exceedingly hot and rainy days tapering off into much cooler nights. Springs (March-May) average 65 F with variable “rogue weeks” of unseasonably hot or cold weather, and autumns are much the same, averaging 68 F.

Cost of Living in Las Vegas, NV

Las Vegas has an extensive public transportation system headed by the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC transit), which controls 40 bus routes to city and residential districts. A one-day pass is $12 and a 2-hour pass is $6, with additional passes ranging from 3 days ($20) to 30 days ($65) also available. Local veterans, senior citizens 60 years and over, people with disabilities, and youth ages 6 to 17 are eligible for half-price fares, while children 5 and under ride free.

In addition, the Las Vegas Monorail is open all week long and has seven stations spanning from the MGM Grand Casino to the SLS Las Vegas Resort, most of which run every 15 minutes. A single ride is $5 and a 7-day unlimited pass is $56, with many packages in between. There are more than 3 thousand taxi vehicles in Las Vegas, and the average commute time is 32 minutes, only 7 minutes higher than the national average.

In general, the cost of living in Las Vegas, NV is higher in some respects, lower than others. A gallon of milk is $3.30, for example – 17 cents lower than the national average – and a dozen eggs is $2.64, while the rest of the national typically pays $4.86. An inexpensive meal, however, is $14 – $2 more than the national average – and the cost of living in a Las Vegas 915 square-foot apartment averages $179.20 a month in utilities. The national average is $146.33.

Living in Las Vegas

Warm weather, no income tax, and the country’s best entertainment are just three reasons why you should move to Las Vegas. A relatively limited job market and the lack of a community feel, however, can be two negatives of living in Las Vegas, NV for some.

Due to its inexpensive dining and abundance of entertainment, Las Vegas was named the best place to retire by MoneyJournal.com in 2014. Las Vegas receives visitors from all around the world, making it one of the most culturally diverse areas in the United States.

Things to do in Las Vegas

Couples attractions include the many Las Vegas casinos such as the legendary MGM Grand on the south end of the Strip; The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas across the Strip from Planet Hollywood; the romantic Italian-themed Gondola Rides at the Venetian; or The Flamingo Las Vegas - the oldest resort on the Strip still in operation. The grassy knolls and ponds of Floyd Lamb State Park make it one of the most beautiful places in Las Vegas.

Aside from the many Las Vegas casinos and luxury resorts, other cultural attractions & points of interest include the Mob Museum, which educates its visitors on the turbulent history of Nevada law enforcement, and the Wax Museum, which allows attendees to “get up close and personal” to life-sized replicas of famous cultural icons. Don’t forget to grab a bite at the Lotus of Siam, a Thai restaurant on the Strip since 1999, or grab drinks at the Tiki Room for an even more exotic motif.

If you are looking for things to do with kids, Las Vegas has the Wet N Wild waterpark, or Adventuredome, America’s largest indoor amusement park. Similarly, GameWorks has over 45 thousand square feet of entertainment, including the world’s tallest rock climbing wall, multiple eateries, and full-sized arcades. If you and the family are looking for free things to do in Las Vegas, why not gaze at the magnificent Bellagio (Las Vegas) fountains?

It may come as no surprise at this point but shopping in Las Vegas is excellent, with both major national brands and retailers and unique, locally-owned boutiques and antique stores. The Forum Shops at Caesars has approx. 160 specialty stores – including Louis Vuitton, Versace, Giorgio Armani, Valentino and Gucci. The Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood is another great spot for retail therapy, with more than 170 stores and 15 restaurants.
As for sports, NFL fans will be excited to hear speculation of the “Las Vegas Raiders”, who may be switching from Oakland to play at a future dome-topped Las Vegas stadium that’s rumored to be in the works.

Working in Las Vegas

The two booming industries in Las Vegas are hospitality and tourism. The logistics industry keeps goods moving throughout the city and does quite well, too. As you may have predicted, Las Vegas casinos are the biggest employers, with the MGM Grand and Caesars Palace providing a living wage to tens of thousands of workers.

Top Colleges in Las Vegas

Las Vegas is served by Clark County (CCSD), the nation's fifth-largest school district. The Las Vegas High School is enjoying its strongest graduation performance in years, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas has 350 college degrees and 146 enriching academic programs to choose from.

Tips for Renting in Las Vegas

Nevada tenants are legally allowed to withhold rent until critical repairs have been made by their landlord. They may also hire a repairman themselves and deduct the cost from their rent.

If you are moving to Las Vegas from California, be aware that Las Vegas is a driving city. While there are many pedestrians, they may be far less willing to stop and chat with you, unlike most of California. You may want to seek out groups and activities in order to find a social life. If you are moving to Las Vegas from New York and want something that has the look and feel of back home, then the Strip or downtown Vegas are the best areas for you.