Las Vegas is conventionally known as the gambling capital of the world, complete with all the entertainment you could imagine for a single strip. While that might not be everyone’s idea of a retirement haven, Sin City has undergone a brand change over the past few years and now appeals to a broader audience. For retirees, the appeal of this desert oasis is clear: warm weather year-round, a relatively low cost of living, stunning nature in every direction, and no state income tax.
According to a SmartAsset analysis of the U.S. Census Bureau’s migration-flow data, approximately 24,800 U.S. adults aged 60 or older migrated to the Silver State in 2024, bringing Nevada’s total senior population to 730,781. Overall, 23% of the population is 60 or older. A 2023 SmartAsset report on similar migration data indicates that North Las Vegas alone welcomed 1,420 seasoned individuals, stressing the city’s gravitational pull on the retirement migration. While this may sound promising for the city’s retired population, these figures risk concealing a hidden outflow of retirees who regret moving to the area.
In 2023, a whopping 16,254 retirees fled Nevada. The number of escapees jumped to 18,709 in 2024, representing a rising trend of departures. Whether this is due to Las Vegas’ original charm wearing off or people simply not enjoying the area, understanding the various reasons retirees regret moving to Las Vegas can help you determine whether this popular hub is the right place for your golden years.
Housing is no longer affordable
Las Vegas isn’t one of the U.S. cities with the fastest-growing home prices, but retirees interested in moving to Sin City aren’t exactly catching a break either. Zillow places the average home price in the area at $425,260, a 1.2% drop from 2024. For reference, Zillow places the country’s average house price at $360,727. That’s a roughly $65,000 gap, which could mean a lot for pensioners on a fixed income. According to Rice Real Estate, Las Vegas’ elevated real estate prices are the result of various factors, including a steady uptick in population, the lack of newly built houses, and long-term homeowners limiting the available properties. The city’s limited housing stock has also fallen victim to a rapid influx of big-money investors that flock to hot real estate markets — a problem seen across the country…