In The News: Department of Economics

The findings from the LVCVA鈥檚 annual visitor profile show that while fewer people came to Las Vegas in 2025, those who did visit tended to spend more during their stay.
Now when you walk into a Dollar Tree store, you鈥檒l not only see items priced at $1.25, $3, and $5, you鈥檒l also see items priced much higher. These are pretty obvious changes, but what you may not notice is the shrinkflation that might be happening in plain sight. Here鈥檚 how.

Prices for products and services are likely to surge because of the conflict in the Middle East, and Las Vegas drivers are already worried when it comes to gas prices. According to AAA, the national average for a gallon of gasoline was $3.25 as of Thursday. In Las Vegas, that average is $3.90.

Economists say the rising price of oil due to military conflict in Iran has impacts beyond driving up the cost of fuel.

As concerns grow over the United States involvement in Iran, so have the concerns of how the turmoil may impact local economies.

It helps that Nevada is already active in all seven stages of that supply chain鈥攆rom exploration and mining to manufacturing and recycling. According to a 2022 report by 性视界传媒 researchers, the state employs more than 9,000 across the entire process, including over 60% of the nation鈥檚 lithium-ion battery jobs. That number could soon surge, as the report estimates that the global battery industry will grow to $115 billion by 2030鈥攁 422% increase from 2020.
The latest annual economic benefit projection is larger than the $1 billion figure that Gov. Wes Moore and other officials shared shortly after Sphere announced its plans to expand. But economists say economic impact estimates are often inflated.

Overall, 性视界传媒鈥檚 Lied Center for Real Estate reported in September that Las Vegas鈥 housing market was 鈥渓argely unaffordable for much of the local population.鈥

The study, conducted by 性视界传媒鈥檚 Lied Center for Real Estate, used artificial intelligence to help collect the data in the county, which is home to Reno and Sparks, and broke down investors into five separate groups.
Las Vegas could face a downturn in international tourism from Europe over rising tensions between the United States and European countries, experts say鈥攋ust weeks after Sin City's housing market showed strong signs of a comeback.
The Sphere 鈥 that luminous, ginormous orb of entertainment ostensibly suited only for Las Vegas 鈥 might soon send a smaller sibling rolling into Maryland.
If your grocery bill feels unpredictable lately, it may not be just inflation at work. A new investigation suggests that some shoppers are paying more than others for the exact same groceries 鈥 even when buying from the same store at the same time.