Come for the fun, and stay because you just can’t leave!
If you want to have some adult fun, Las Vegas is the place to go! But many people are looking for something a bit more permanent and are choosing to turn this city into the place they call home. In fact, it’s one of the fastest-growing cities with an annual average growth rate of 1.21 percent. In the past 10 years, the population has grown nearly 16 percent.
It’s no wonder why so many people want to move here. A New York Times article recently reported that Nevada is one of the top destinations for Californians trying to escape the high cost of living on the West Coast.
While the cost of living in Las Vegas isn’t one of the lowest in the country, it’s still significantly lower than on the West and East coasts. And you’ll find that even the cheapest neighborhoods in Las Vegas have some beautiful apartments that just might fit all your needs!
What is the average rent in Las Vegas?
The average cost of a two-bedroom apartment for rent in Las Vegas is $1,847 per month. Rent prices rose by nearly nine percent over the past 12 months.
While no one likes a price hike, some renters might find comfort in the fact that this rent increase is one of the lower increases. Many neighborhoods across the country had 15, 25 or 30 percent increases. Salt Lake City, UT, saw a rise of over 40 percent, while New York City prices rose nearly 50 percent.
Thankfully, this is just an average, which means there are plenty of cheaper neighborhoods in Las Vegas where you can find apartments that won’t break the bank.
The 10 most affordable neighborhoods in Las Vegas
If you’re on a tight budget, apartment hunting can seem daunting. Thankfully, we have you covered! Here are some of the cheapest neighborhoods in Las Vegas and why you should consider checking them out.
10. Southeast Las Vegas
- Average 2-BR rent: $2,162
- Rent change since 2021: +112.78%
Despite having the second-highest increase of the 15 neighborhoods we evaluated, Southeast Las Vegas is still one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Las Vegas.
There are some fun attractions in the area, like The Neon Museum, a non-profit organization started in the mid-90s to preserve something Las Vegas uses extensively, the neon light.
If you’re a nature-lover, you’ll be happy to know that Springs Preserve is right within the boundaries of your neighborhood. This 180-acre institution features botanical gardens and an interpretive trail system that takes you through scenic wetlands. The Preserve also hosts outdoor events (like amazing concerts) and is also home to several museums and galleries.
9. The Canyons
- Average 2-BR rent: $2,108
- Rent change since 2021: +41.44%
The Canyons is a residential neighborhood home to young professionals and retirees. Not many families live in the area, which means the neighborhood is relatively calm and quiet. The average commute takes approximately 25 minutes. Nearly everyone owns a vehicle because public transit in the area isn’t that great. Thankfully, it’s one of the cheapest neighborhoods in Las Vegas, so you’re better able to afford to own a vehicle.
Nearby is the Chamberlain University College of Nursing, an accredited, three-year nursing school with a 97 percent National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX®) first-time pass rate. Thankfully, since this is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Las Vegas, students can focus more on their studies and less on rental rates.
8. Peccole Ranch
Source: Rent.com/The Avondale
- Average 2-BR rent: $1,929
- Rent change since 2021: +39.30%
Parents looking for highly-rated public schools in the area should visit the Peccole Ranch neighborhood. The area has a good mix of families, retirees and young professionals. A slight majority of residents rent properties, which means there’s a variety of homes in the area, including single-family homes with yards and garages, as well as townhouses, condos and apartment complexes.
In addition to having some of the best schools in the city, Peccole Ranch is one of the cheapest places to live in Las Vegas — a win-win for parents!
Residents enjoy daily walks along the Paseos walking paths, which are great for exercise or just to enjoy the beauty of the area.
7. Lone Mountain
- Average 2-BR rent: $1,828
- Rent change since 2021: +39.17%
Lone Mountain is one of the top-rated neighborhoods in Las Vegas, in part due to its proximity to Downtown Las Vegas and the North Las Vegas Airport.
You’ll find two parks in the area that just might become your home away from home. In addition to the usual park amenities (picnic pavilions and playgrounds), Lone Mountain Regional Park also has walking trails and an equestrian center. The other park in the area is Majestic Park. This park has plenty of open space for frisbee, soccer and playing with your kids and pets. The park also has picnic areas, softball fields and playgrounds.
Though the area has a higher cost of living than the national average, Lone Mountain is still one of the cheapest neighborhoods in Las Vegas.
6. Centennial Hills
- Average 2-BR rent: $1,711
- Rent change since 2021: +22.48%
Centennial Hills has diverse home options, so there’s something for everyone. If you like townhomes, this neighborhood has them. If you prefer apartments or condos, you’ll find them here, too. Of course, there are also single-family homes, new construction, vacant lots for custom homes and resale properties, as well.
Because the community is growing, businesses are starting to move into the area, increasing growth. In addition to some locally owned businesses, you’ll also find well-known, national stores like Trader Joe’s. Because of this, there are more jobs in the neighborhood, and it’s easier for locals to run errands and get their daily essentials.
One of the perks of this neighborhood is that it’s not close to The Strip. The benefit of living about 30 miles from Downtown is that the Centennial Hills is more tranquil than communities closer to Las Vegas. It also means that Centennial Hills is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Las Vegas.
5. Southwest Las Vegas
- Average 2-BR rent: $1,688
- Rent change since 2021: +33.72%
For those who want to live in a large community, we recommend checking out Southwest Las Vegas. It’s one of the largest areas in the entire Las Vegas Valley. Though it’s close to The Strip, it’s still far enough away to stay safe and to keep its rustic charm and rural character.
Despite its proximity to The Strip and Downtown Las Vegas, home and rental prices in the area are quite low, making this one of the cheapest neighborhoods in Las Vegas. If you’re a fan of Mediterranean-style homes, you’ll find lots of eye candy in the area, with stucco and red tile roofs in abundance.
Close to the I-15, it’s an easy commute from Southwest Las Vegas to other parts of the city. While there are some bus routes — as well as Lyft and Uber drivers — in the area, most residents prefer to own a vehicle.
4. The Section Seven
Source: Rent.com/Breakers
- Average 2-BR rent: $1,547
- Rent change since 2021: +23.53%
The Section Seven neighborhood is ideal for people who want close proximity to City Center but like suburban living. The residential community has apartment complexes, in addition to single-family residences. Apartments in The Section Seven are affordable yet have all the modern conveniences and amenities you could want.
The neighborhood is in close proximity to plenty of entertainment, shopping, dining and employment opportunities. The area is also close to freeways, making the commute faster and easier. You’ll find beautiful walking trails nearby, too.
Residents appreciate the strong sense of community in the area with plenty of community activities, like movies in the park.
3. Canyon Gate
Source: Rent.com/Shelter Cove
- Average 2-BR rent: $1,425
- Rent change since 2021: +24.32%
Young professionals make up the majority of residents in Canyon Gate, and there’s a 50/50 split between renters and homeowners.
The neighborhood is nearly 12 miles southwest of Downtown Las Vegas, and most residents have a 20-30 minute commute to work or to go shopping.
One of the reasons Canyon Gate is one of the cheapest neighborhoods in Las Vegas is that it has a dense, suburban vibe. It consists primarily of residential communities, small shopping centers and locally owned businesses. It doesn’t have quite as many amenities as more urban neighborhoods. And yet, that’s something that residents appreciate because it makes the community feel safer and more tranquil.
2. Rancho Oakey
Source: Rent.com/The Neon Apartments
- Average 2-BR rent: $1,365
- Rent change since 2021: +6.25%
Located less than four miles from the Las Vegas Strip is the community of Rancho Oakey, which is in the heart of the arts district. Though there are plenty of restaurants, museums and fun nightlife activities, Rancho Oakey doesn’t have the same busy vibe as the Downtown area. And that’s what makes it so popular.
If you’re a lover of the great outdoors, you’ll be happy to know that this neighborhood is close to Springs Preserve. So, you, too, will get to enjoy the trails, botanical gardens, outdoor exhibits and so much more the Preserve has to offer.
1. Twin Lakes
Source: Rent.com/Solstice
- Average 2-BR rent: $947
- Rent change since 2021: 0%
Of all the cheapest neighborhoods in Las Vegas, Twin Lakes is the most affordable. The cost of living in Twin Lakes is less than the Las Vegas average and the U.S. average.
Residents in the area say the neighborhood makes it easy to run errands on foot — like going to convenience stores or the post office. It’s also close to the Interstate, which makes it easy to get to Downtown Las Vegas and restaurants and attractions in the area.
Locals say they like that Twin Lakes is a pretty neighborhood with very friendly neighbors.
The most expensive neighborhood in Las Vegas
We’ve looked at the cheapest neighborhoods in Las Vegas, but what about the most expensive? Is it really out of your budget?
The most expensive neighborhood is East Village. In this community, the average monthly rental rate is $2,975. Rental fees rose in this area by 1.99 percent in the past 12 months, which is one of the lowest rates of all the Las Vegas communities we evaluated.
East Village serves as one of the entrances to Downtown Las Vegas. The community has undergone rejuvenation and renovation projects in recent years, including updating parks and remodeling/reusing old motels for new uses.
Residents like the neighborhood’s proximity to several public transit options. They also like that it’s a quick trip to get to their favorite restaurants, bars and nightlife activities. And even though it’s close to the Downtown area, residents say it’s a quiet area with friendly neighbors.
Find an affordable neighborhood for your next apartment
Finding the ideal apartment is only half the battle when you’re moving to a new area. You also need to know that your apartment is in the best neighborhood for your needs. Things to consider include whether it’s the most affordable neighborhood in Las Vegas and if it’s close to the amenities you need (doctor’s offices, shopping, restaurants, work, etc.).
You can find the best neighborhoods and apartments for rent in Las Vegas with our listings feature. Using our search filters, we can help narrow your search to make finding a rental faster and easier.
Rent prices are based on a rolling weighted average from Rent.com’s multifamily rental property inventory as of January 2022. Our team uses a weighted average formula that more accurately represents price availability for each unit type and reduces the influence of seasonality on rent prices in specific markets. The rent information included in this article is used for illustrative purposes only. The data contained herein do not constitute financial advice or a pricing guarantee for any apartment.
Source: rent.com