Is A Trip To Las Vegas Even Worth The Price Anymore?

Las Vegas has long been a top destination for visitors and vacationers in the United States. According to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Las Vegas welcomed 40,829,900 visitors in 2023, representing a year-over-year 5.2% increase from 2022. From bachelor parties to girls' trips, without a doubt, Vegas is widely known as one of the biggest entertainment hubs in the world. If you've ever spoken with a friend returning from a trip to Sin City, they always seem to have quite the story about their experience. People are driven to the city due to its wild party-like atmosphere, glamorized through popular movies like "The Hangover," and classic sayings such as "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas."

However, while stories of people's experiences in Vegas almost always make their way back home, there is one thing that doesn't have the possibility of returning: the money you spent there. Yes, Vegas is touted as one of those places you have to go to at least once in your young life, but does the amount of money one could end up spending there actually make it worth the trip? Well, due to some recent economic changes in the U.S., some would say no.

It should come as no surprise that Vegas is one of the most expensive places you can travel to in America. After all, one of the most notorious aspects of the city is its casinos, which are arguably one of the easiest places to turn a lot of money into no money in as little as a few hours. However, gambling isn't the only way to lose an abundance of money in a short timeframe. In fact, you may end up breaking the bank before you even leave your house for the airport.

With inflation surging throughout the United States in recent years, price increases have been impacting everyone. Unfortunately, some U.S. cities have been hit way harder than others, and Sin City is undoubtedly one of them. Vegas has officially become the number one most expensive city to visit in the entire country in 2024 according to a study done by Forbes Advisor. Hotel accommodations and rental car prices alone have surged around 50-60% in the last five years. So while many people may expect to lose the majority of their money gambling at a blackjack table, they might actually end up losing just as much by simply renting a car or booking a nice hotel for a weekend stay in the city. Even the average cost per person for food and drinks on a day-by-day basis in Las Vegas is around $100, a 14% increase since late 2018.

Ultimately, the decision as to whether or not a vacation to Las Vegas is worth it falls upon individual preference. While it's easy to make money mistakes while traveling anywhere, one could easily come to the conclusion that if they live in America and plan on taking a vacation, they can probably get a better bang for their buck elsewhere. That being said, considering the current economic climate in the U.S., spending $100 a day on meals plus the Vegas average of $250 per night on a hotel (plus tax) seems pretty standard for your typical domestic vacation. At the same time, again, these are the average estimates of daily costs. If you're trying to have a good time on vacation, especially in Las Vegas, you're most likely going to spend way more than $100 a day. That is considering that if one is traveling to Las Vegas, they are likely going to gamble simply for the experience and participate in other festivities like attending a show or concert. 

However, there are still some methods you can exercise in order to save money on a trip to Sin City. The most notable of these would be visiting during the slower seasons that fall between September to November or late March through May. This will allow you to get that classic Vegas experience without having to pay the exorbitant prices that come with peak season travel.