Visiting Las Vegas evolves for many of us. Some will keep the same routine while others experiment for a couple of reasons. Some want a new Las Vegas experience while budgets change (up or down) for others.

Between visiting a lot and now living in Las Vegas my preferences seem to change every few years for both reasons.

Anecdotally, we’ve seen price increases throughout Las Vegas over the past few years. Now Forbes is reporting that Las Vegas is becoming one of the most expensive cities to visit. 

The information provided by Forbes supports information we’ve been sharing for years. According to the report, hotel room rates are up 47.45% over the past five years. Meals are up almost 14% during the same period. Since this is national research, it doesn’t include entertainment which has skyrocketed in Las Vegas.

One reason I listen to casino earnings calls is to see where the businesses stand on how much they charge. The corporations continually tell stock analysts that they’ll push prices as far as they can go. 

This shouldn’t be a surprise as it’s their job to make money for shareholders. All of the casino operators are currently riding a wave of higher prices. Visitors and locals in Las Vegas have seemingly accepted higher prices and fewer comps in Las Vegas.

More leisure and business travelers continue to visit Las Vegas. There are no significant trends that show a change is on the horizon.

Prices for everything in Las Vegas will rise until there’s a slowdown in visitation and spending. When business slows the casino operators will act appropriately and lower prices to bring guests back.

Las Vegas Has Always Been Expensive And Affordable

This isn’t a new mantra and high prices aren’t particularly new in Las Vegas. I’ve written about the battle of the “Two Vegas’s” a handful of times fairly often over the years. 

Las Vegas has always been both expensive and cheap. This accounts for everything from hotel rooms to gambling rules and odds. The specifics may be different but the expenses are similar.

I still reference some of my personal experiences exploring Las Vegas for all budgets. This is an ongoing thing as I still try to navigate the experiences I can afford and those I can only afford on a special occasion.

The Las Vegas I wanted when I first started visiting was not the Las Vegas I could afford. I found ways to enjoy what I wanted and what I could afford. It meant crashing at cheap hotels so I could afford a fancy Vegas Strip steak dinner. I made the best of the situation and still enjoy both fancy and cheap places.

I’m lucky enough to have been able to enjoy luxury experiences at low prices in Las Vegas during the last great recession and again during and after the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hotel rooms can be affordable, or complimentary, depending on when you visit. There are more events in Las Vegas than ever and that makes finding inexpensive hotel rooms more work – but it’s possible.

In general, dining has always been less expensive away from the Vegas Strip. There may be fewer cheap eats around but they’re available. 

Gambling rules and odds are better and more affordable when leaving the Vegas Strip. This was the case 20 years ago and like the other examples, it’s still the case. 

I live in Las Vegas and still try to enjoy casino life like a tourist. I never want to lose that feeling of enjoying a Las Vegas experience like a Vegas newbie.

However, I’ve had to adjust how much I spend and where I visit over the past year. 

Have increasing prices and changes in gaming conditions changed your Las Vegas experience? Drop a comment below or wherever you read this.