If you’re moving to Vegas—or just thinking about making a change—one of the biggest questions is whether you should buy or rent. The answer depends on your goals, but in 2026, buying often makes more financial sense long-term.
Rents in Las Vegas are averaging $1,700 to $2,200/month for single-family homes. Compare that to a mortgage payment on a $450,000 home with 5% down and rates in the low 6% range, and you may be surprised at how close those numbers are. But the big difference? Equity. When you own, your monthly payment builds wealth—not your landlord’s.
For example, my wife and I were renters and purchased our first home in 2014. After living in it for 5 years, we were able to do a cash-out refinance (basically pulling money of the home and getting a lower interest rate). With that money from our equity, we used some of it to pay off high interest debt and put a down payment on another home. The first home became a rental and is still growing our wealth today.
Owning also provides predictability. Rent prices can increase every year, while a fixed-rate mortgage gives you long-term cost stability. Plus, Nevada’s property taxes remain among the lowest in the country at 0.59%, and there’s no state income tax. These savings make a big difference when you stack them up year after year.
Of course, buying isn’t the right move for everyone—especially if you plan to move again within a couple of years. That’s why I always encourage buyers to look at the full picture: lifestyle, length of stay, financial goals, and long-term equity potential.
Curious about what it would look like for you to rent vs. buy in Las Vegas? Call or text 702-765-0736 for a complimentary price comparison.
Dale Abella
Las Vegas Realtor
eXp Realty
License No S.0190387
[email protected]
