Denver vs Las Vegas
Two markets on the list for people leaving LA. Here's how they stack up on price, pace and taxes, measured against what a typical LA home sells for.
| Denver, CO | Las Vegas, NV | |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $650K | $470K |
| Median single-family | $715K | $510K |
| Median condo | $335K | $235K |
| Median $/sq ft | $367 | $261 |
| Median days on market | 21 | 50 |
| Avg sale-to-list | 99.1% | 98.3% |
| Sq ft for $1M (at median $/sq ft) | 2,720 | 3,830 |
| Californians who moved to the state (2024) | 19,717 | 53,289 |
Redfin Data Center, May 2026, all residential unless noted. Typical LA County zip for reference: $904K median, $588/sq ft, 44 median days on market. Mover counts: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2024, estimates with margins of error.
The short version
Las Vegas is the less expensive of the two at the median, about $470K versus $650K in Denver, roughly 28% less (Redfin, May 2026). $1 million covers roughly 3,830 square feet in Las Vegas at the median price per square foot, versus about 2,720 in Denver. Denver homes have been moving faster, 21 median days on market versus 50 in Las Vegas. Colorado has a 4.4% flat income tax (tax year 2026). Nevada has no personal income tax. In 2024 about 20,000 Californians moved to Colorado and about 53,000 to Nevada (U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024).
Taxes
Denver: 4.4% flat rate (tax year 2026). Las Vegas: None (Nevada has no personal income tax). Property tax, insurance and HOA costs vary by address in both places and can matter as much as income tax, so price them for any specific home.
Go deeper
Read the full guides: moving from LA to Denver and moving from LA to Las Vegas.
Common questions
Is Denver or Las Vegas cheaper?
Las Vegas had the lower median sale price, about $470K versus $650K in Denver (Redfin, May 2026), roughly 28% less at the median.
Which has lower state income tax, Denver or Las Vegas?
Las Vegas has the lower state income tax. Nevada has no personal income tax. By comparison, Colorado has a 4.4% flat income tax (tax year 2026). Rates change, so confirm with each state and a CPA.
What does $1 million buy in Denver vs Las Vegas?
At the median price per square foot, $1 million works out to roughly 2,720 square feet in Denver and 3,830 in Las Vegas, versus about 1,700 at the LA median. A rough illustration, not a listing.
