How Much To Budget For Vegas – Real Data, By Category

Key Points:

• According to survey data, the average visitor spent $1,994.85 per 4.4-day-long trip, which breaks down to about $453 per day.

• The average visitor budgeted $820.15 per trip specifically for gambling, which amounts to about $183 per day.

Creating a budget for Vegas isn’t a “one size fits all” process. Variations in preferences from person to person need to be accounted for before determining how much cash you’ll need.

Fortunately, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) conducts an annual visitor survey to determine how much people spend on various categories, which is the data I’m diving into.

Note that for each category below, visitors shared how much they spent per category per trip to Vegas. The same survey noted that the average 2024 trip duration was 4.4 days.

Entertainment Budget

The big Q: What do you plan to do while in town?

“Big ticket” shows like “Absinthe” at Caesars, or “O” at Bellagio cost $100+ per seat, while comedy clubs or activities like Madame Tussauds Wax Museum are much cheaper.

If you’re looking to save, check out my rundowns of Free Activities and Cheap Things to Do (under $25).

The average visitor in 2024 spent $118.72 on shows, entertainment, sporting events, and sightseeing per trip, or about $27 per day.

Looking to do a LOT? The Las Vegas Go City All-Inclusive Pass could help you conserve your spending money.

Food & Drink Budget

There’s a meal for all budgets in Vegas, ranging from a $3 dog & a beer at Downtown Grand high-end dining at celebrity chef restaurants.

If you’re looking to save on meals, there are plenty of value buffets and inexpensive restaurants to stretch your dollar.

Check out my guides to eating cheap on the Strip and cheap eats on Fremont Street.

Drinking options also span the spectrum from $1 bottles at Stage Door Casino to $25 craft cocktails at the growing number of Vegas speakeasies.

I also maintain a rundown of happy hour deals on the Strip in addition to drink deals on Fremont Street.

The average visitor in 2024 spent $615.07 on food and drink per trip, or about $140 per day.

So, How Much Money Should I Bring to Vegas?

The average visitor spent $1,994.85 per trip when you add up each category above from the 2024 LVCVA profile survey. That total breaks down to about $453 per day, based on the average 4.4-day trip.

Obviously, the amount of money you should bring to Vegas will likely differ, but this should give you a good baseline idea of how much money to bring.

How much money you need per trip or per day in Vegas will vary wildly, depending on your preferences, but this should be a good baseline for a plan.

Go category by category to determine how much cash you should bring!

See Also: Ways to Save Money in Vegas and Free things to do in Vegas – A complete list.