Las Vegas is not a US state. It is a city in the state of Nevada. It is the largest city in Nevada (population 660k+), and one of the world's top tourism destinations. Many people confuse Las Vegas with a state because of its global fame — but the state is Nevada (capital: Carson City).
Nevada at a glance
USPS code: NV
Capital: Carson City
Largest city: Las Vegas
Region: West
Year admitted: 1864
Why people ask this
"Is Las Vegas a state?" gets searched thousands of times a year. There are three common reasons:
- City is more famous than its state. Travelers see "Las Vegas" on flights, news, sports, and TV — but the state name comes up less often.
- The US has 50 states + many big cities, so it's easy to lose track. Only 17 of the 50 capitals are the largest city of their state — meaning a famous city is usually not the capital.
- People learning US geography from scratch (non-Americans, kids, ESL learners) need a quick disambiguation page like this one. You're welcome.
Quick reference: Las Vegas vs Nevada
If you ever need to fill in a form or quiz:
- City: Las Vegas
- State: Nevada
- State abbreviation (USPS): NV
- State capital: Carson City
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Is Las Vegas a state?
No — Las Vegas is a US city in Nevada.
What state is Las Vegas in?
Las Vegas is in Nevada.
What is the capital of Nevada?
The capital of Nevada is Carson City. The largest city is Las Vegas.
How many cities does Nevada have?
Nevada has dozens of incorporated cities and towns. The largest is Las Vegas. See all of Nevada's major cities and facts.