Las Vegas Ranks As Ultimate Winter Destination
Whether they’re flying, driving, or taking the bus, it looks like a lot of people might be flocking to Las Vegas this winter.
At least according to a new study that’s out. Thank you, Wallethub, for increasing our tourism profit (and our crowds) for the next several months. They just dropped a list of the top destinations for people who are trying to escape the winter cold. Obviously, Las Vegas was going to be on the list, since we barely have a winter. At least not one that anybody from the East Coast would voluntarily acknowledge.
So, we knew Las Vegas would land on a list of desired winter getaways, but we didn’t realize we’d be on top of it.
But there we are. Wallethub compared 70 of the largest metro areas in the United States grouped by weather. Then they analyzed each destination based on 37 key metrics. Those metrics included the cost of traveling to each location as well as the hassle of doing so. They also compared weather in each area, safety of the location, and activities available for tourists.
Well right there we were bound to at least land in the top five on the list. We have some of the best winter weather and (yeah, I’ll say it) the best activities available pretty much anywhere. Although, according to this list, we are number four when it came to warm-weather activities. Which counted restaurants, sports venues, festivals, amusement parks and more. Beating us in that category were San Diego (#1), Honolulu (#2), and Orlando (#3). We also came in at number two for the number and diversity of attractions, beaten only by Los Angeles.
Topping those two categories is what landed us on top of this list. We didn’t score quite so high in weather or travel costs and hassle. Both of which we came in at number 11 for. And for the cost of visiting, we were number 17 on the list. Still, scoring the highest overall score of 69.21, it looks like we might see a lot more people in Vegas this winter than we even anticipated.
If you want to check out the whole list and details, here you go.
How The Las Vegas Cost Of Living Compares To Other Cities
Spokane, Washington
If you’ve been thinking about moving to Washington from Las Vegas, you’d better rule Seattle out. The housing there is over 90% higher than in Vegas. Now, Spokane is more conducive to what we’re used to here in Sin City. According to Payscale, the cost of living in Spokane is only 2.1% higher than Vegas. And housing is 6.7% lower!
Phoenix, Arizona
Weather-wise, Vegas and Phoenix are kissing cousins. And the similarity doesn’t end there. Payscale shows that the cost of living in Phoenix compared to Vegas is pretty close too. 3.3% higher overall with housing at 12.4% higher. Tucson is even closer to what we pay to live in Clark County. With an overall cost of living 2.7% higher than Vegas and housing at 4.4% lower.
Fresno, California
It’s true that most of California is way more expensive to live in than Vegas. But some cities in the Golden State are actually less expensive or pretty close. Fresno being one of them. Payscale says the cost of living is 6% higher, but housing is 4.6% lower! If you want a much lower cost of living than Vegas, try California City or nearby Tehachapi.
Boise, Idaho
While many Californians are coming to Vegas, a good portion are also calling Boise their new home. Because it’s also cheaper, by comparison, to live there. But, according to Payscale, it costs more to live there than here. Payscale statistics show Boise’s cost of living compared to Vegas is about 6.6% higher, with housing being 13.9% higher.
Salt Lake City, Utah
You might expect Utah’s capital city to be more expensive than Vegas. And you’d be right. Payscale lists the cost of living in SLC as 7.2% higher than Vegas. And 11% higher housing.
Denver, Colorado
Denver, according to the statistics from Payscale, is 9.4% higher in their cost of living compared to Vegas. With housing being 23.2% higher. Colorado Springs, on the other hand, is only an hour and a half south of Denver and slightly more affordable. With the cost of living being 4% higher than Vegas and housing only 0.1% higher.
Portland, Oregon
This one is probably no surprise. Portland has always been more expensive to live in than Las Vegas. But to be more specific, it ranked this year by Payscale at 23.1% higher overall. With housing being 46.7% higher! Yikes.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Winner winner chicken dinner. Albuquerque is on the map (meaning not so small that nobody has heard of it) but also cheaper to live than Vegas. Payscale lists the cost of living at 8% lower than Vegas. And the housing at a whopping 20.6% lower!
Cheyenne, Wyoming
However, if you’re willing to go a little further to Wyoming, you will find something a a little more tolerable in Cheyenne. Payscale lists the overall cost of living in Cheyenne at 5.9% lower than Vegas. And the housing costs at 18.7% lower.
Bozeman, Montana
If you’re willing to move two states away to save some money on the cost of living, you’d better not be heading for Bozeman. Shockingly, the cost of living there is 20.9% higher than Vegas, according to Payscale. And the housing is listed at 46.7% higher! Did you get the memo about Bozeman? Me neither.
