According to UNLV’s Center for Business and Economic Research, 17% of the Las Vegas workforce relies on tips. Many looked forward to the change during Trump’s campaign stop in the valley in August 2024.

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.

A recent study by the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Nevada Las Vegas projects a growth of one million more visitors in 2026 than 2025, pushing numbers back above the magic 40 million mark.