| Index | Reno | Nevada | National |
| Cost of living | 126 | 103 | 100 |
| Groceries | 101 | 102 | 100 |
| Health care | 100 | 103 | 100 |
| Housing | 177 | 103 | 100 |
| Transportation | 101 | 103 | 100 |
| Utilities | 110 | 111 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 108 | 103 | 100 |
| Household Items | 103 | 102 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 109 | 104 | 100 |
The cost of living in Reno affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Reno is 126, which is 26% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
The cost of living in Reno is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Reno falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.
Housing costs significantly influence the Reno cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 76.8%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 37 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Reno and this is how they responded. 19% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 81% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Is Reno an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Reno, the median home price is 103.7% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 14.1% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Reno come in at $92,953, which is 14.3% higher than the national average.
Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.
Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.
Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In Reno, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 6.85%, and income tax rates kick off at 0%.
The Reno cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $132,499 | $11,042 | $3,091 | $3,975 |
| Renters | $67,991 | $5,666 | $1,586 | $2,040 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Nevada | 6.85% | 8.25% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Nevada | 0% | 0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Floriston, CA | 30 | 104 | 3.8% |
| Sun Valley, NV | 21,634 | 104 | 3.7% |
| Lemmon Valley, NV | 5,354 | 116 | 16.1% |
| Cold Springs, NV | 11,088 | 119 | 18.7% |
| Sparks, NV | 105,155 | 121 | 21.4% |
| Reno, NV | 258,532 | 126 | 25.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Burnaby, BC | 258,827 | n/a | |
| Kitchener, ON | 259,162 | n/a | |
| North Las Vegas, NV | 256,144 | 114 | 13.7% |
| Scottsdale, AZ | 261,070 | 145 | 45.4% |
| Glendale, AZ | 255,914 | 109 | 9.4% |
| Reno, NV | 258,532 | 126 | 25.7% |
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