Atlantic City Vs. Vegas: Which One Is Cheaper? (2024)

There’s no doubt that both Las Vegas and Atlantic City are over-the-top destinations that conjure evocative images of a wild, carefree, and uninhibited vacation. And when it comes to gambling and nightlife, few cities come close to matching the pulse and vibe of these oddly far-apart destinations. Still, like any vacation, almost all travelers must consider the expected cost of taking a trip. Money, we’re told, does not grow on trees.

Of course, there are money-saving tips that one can explore: Like finding the best vacation packages, or just booking an air ticket —even two good months in advance. However, a piece of comprehensive information that compares these two travel meccas—dollar-to-dollar—might just be more meaningful. In this article, we place “Sin City” against 'America's Favorite Playground,' and pick out the cheaper vacation option.

Between Atlantic City And Las Vegas, Which One Is Cheaper To Fly To?

Of course, for someone on the East Coast, Atlantic City would be cheaper. This is because it’s a shorter destination. On the flip side, for someone on the West Coast, “Sin City” is cheaper. Again, it’s all about the distance. For one who’s in the southeastern region, Atlantic City looks cheaper. According to Kayak, the online travel search engine, the average roundtrip ticket price from Miami to Las Vegas is $250. On the other hand, the average roundtrip ticket price from Miami to Atlantic City is $116. But from the south-central region, Las Vegas has a price edge. Flights from Dallas to Las Vegas cost an average of $190—while those from Dallas to Atlantic City cost an average of $262. For a state which is in the midwest like Kansas City, Las Vegas is cheaper. So, as we’ve seen, a flight ticket will invariably depend on a person’s location.

What about airports? According to NetCredit, New Jersey is the state with the cheapest average domestic flight in the country. New Jersey’s domestic flight costs an average of $205.6. On the other hand, Nevada’s domestic flights cost an average of $264.61. That’s a difference of about $59. If all factors are constant, including distance, Atlantic City is a cheaper destination to fly to.

Related: First-Timers Need This Many Days To Make The Most Of Las Vegas.

Food And Accommodation: Which Is Cheaper Between Las Vegas And Atlantic City

When it comes to the cost of food without accommodation, Atlantic City beats Las Vegas hands down. According to Numbeo, the global database of perceived consumer prices, a three-course meal for two people in a mid-range restaurant in Atlantic City is $47.50—on average. On the flip side, a similar meal in a Las Vegas restaurant will cost an average of $64.50. That’s a difference of $17. Of course, there’s the argument that “Sin City” is bigger and with more accommodation options—and that this fact alone should make it cheaper than Atlantic City. There are some who swear that this is the case. However, in matters to do with financial figures, it’s better to rely on cold facts. Of course, like in many situations, they’ll be outliers. On average, according to Numbeo, restaurant prices in Las Vegas are 11% higher than their Atlanta City counterparts.

When it comes to hotels, the picture dramatically takes a new look. According to Bookings.com, the online travel agency for hotel reservations, one will pay an average of $408 per night for a cheap hotel in Atlantic City. But in Las Vegas, he’ll only part with $351 per night. That’s a decent saving of $57. Of course, hostel prices are way lower. For instance, the Sin City Hostel, rated by Tripadvisor as the second Best Value of cheap Las Vegas hostels—charges only about $30 per night. In Atlantic City, Sunset Inn is listed as the cheapest hostel on Bookings.com— but it charges $51. That’s $21 more than in Las Vegas. Here’s the take home: For accommodations, Las Vegas is cheaper than Atlantic City. However, Atlantic City is cheaper than Las Vegas for food and restaurant prices.

• Where Is Sin City Hostel Located? Sin City Hostel is 1.7 miles from Las Vegas Convention Center.

Other Factors You Should Consider When Comparing Atlantic City And Las Vegas

Las Vegas and Atlantic City both enjoy some fame as gambling capitals of the country. The truth, however—is that the gambling scene in Atlantic City cannot match that of Las Vegas. Las Vegas has more casinos—many times more than the number at Atlantic City. Naturally, that breeds competition, which, as economics teaches, is a consumer’s best friend. Aside from gambling, the two cities boast many other attractions. In either city, one must have the eye to distinguish between the cheap and the luxurious.

When it comes to other attractions, Las Vegas has a lot more. Granted, Atlantic City has the beach, a huge bonus on the coastal city—that’s also famous for its iconic boardwalk. Still, one will have to move around to see these attractions. That brings us to the cost of local transportation. And here’s the verdict when we compare the two. For local transportation, Atlantic City is cheaper than Las Vegas. The Jitney Buses in Atlantic City charge only $2.25 for each one-way ride within the city. In Las Vegas, a 2-hour pass costs $6 while a 24-hour pass costs $8.

That’s it. While both Atlantic City and Las Vegas pack all fun one can imagine, the fun doesn’t come at the same price point.