Despite consumer sentiment at record lows, a UNLV economist projects a rebound in tourism in 2026 with two million more visitors to Las Vegas this year than last.  

In Clark County, prices are not only well above the national average, but they are also higher than the statewide average for Nevada. The longer the elevated prices persist, the more difficult it is for locals and tourists to make ends meet.

Oil prices hovering at just over $100 a barrel amid tensions over the Strait of Hormuz are translating into higher gasoline prices. That spike is adding uncertainty to forecasts for the Las Vegas summer tourist season.

While Vegas offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences to those who can pay, many Americans are struggling. Since the 2024 election, when many expressed concerns about the economy despite most indicators looking good, the K-shaped economy — named for the way the disparity between rich and poor mimics the letter's arms — has grown more pronounced. The top 10 percent of earners now account for nearly half of consumer spending, more than ever before, according to the data available. Thanks to inflation, wealth skyrocketed for people who own houses or stocks, while those without have seen their purchasing power plummet. Meanwhile, upper-middle class incomes are rising much faster than median ones.

Las Vegas is hoping that rapid growth in high-tech businesses and logistics will offset its stagnant gaming industry.

The high rollers may still be crowding the tables, but high prices and pinched discretionary incomes are driving a sharp drop-off in visitors to Las Vegas as Nevada’s governor runs for re-election.

A new white paper from UNLV’s Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) shows that Nevada experienced a significant increase in small-business creation during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. While the state endured some of the nation’s deepest job losses in 2020, due to its tourism-dependent economy, the disruption sparked an entrepreneurship boom that could help redefine Nevada’s economic landscape.

Sales and permits have tumbled from early-2025 levels in Southern Nevada — and prices ticked lower for the first time in a few years — as buyers face elevated borrowing costs and other economic headwinds. Some key aspects of the market recently saw month-to-month gains, but overall, business is down from the same period last year.