Is Reno expensive to live in?

Reno is on the pricier side of the 112 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,206 per month ranks #36 of 112 and is 12% higher than the $1,080 median.

What is the average rent in Reno?

Average rent in Reno, NV runs a studio around $964, a one-bedroom around $1,206, a two-bedroom around $1,518, a three-bedroom around $1,885 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in Reno?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,206 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $48,000 a year. The median household income here is $78,448.

How much does it cost to live in Reno per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Reno is about $1,350 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Cost of Living in Reno, NV

Population 268,959 · Nevada

~$1,350/mo est.1BR $1,206Home $498,600

Photo: Shawn Powar / Unsplash

Compare with:

The cost of living in Reno, NV is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $1,206 a month — 12% higher than the $1,080 median across the 112 large US cities we track. Studios average $964 and two-bedrooms $1,518.

Median household income here is $78,448, 13% higher than the $69,423 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $1,350 before food and transport. Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $1,206

Studio

$964

1 Bedroom

$1,206

2 Bedroom

$1,518

3 Bedroom

$1,885

Buying a Home$498,600

Median Home Value

$498,600

Income$78,448

Median Household Income

$78,448

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,660

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesWest

Milk (gal)

$4.82

Bread (lb)

$2.04

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

Average prices, West (BLS, 2026-07-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities13.6¢/kWh

Electricity

13.6¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$12.09/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-05-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$5.09/gal

Regular Gasoline (West Coast (PADD 5))

$5.09/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-08-17.

State Taxes (NV)6.85% sales

State Sales Tax

6.85%

State Income Tax (top rate)

None

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime528.9 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

528.9

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

2,489.3

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Reno Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 37.3 yrs

Median Age

37.3 yrs

Homeownership

49.4%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.7%

Avg Commute

20.6 min

Climate53.8°F

Avg Annual Temperature

53.8°F

Annual Precipitation

7.4 in

Reno cost of living — FAQ

Is Reno expensive to live in?: Reno is on the pricier side of the 112 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,206 per month ranks #36 of 112 and is 12% higher than the $1,080 median.
What is the average rent in Reno?: Average rent in Reno, NV runs a studio around $964, a one-bedroom around $1,206, a two-bedroom around $1,518, a three-bedroom around $1,885 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Reno?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,206 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $48,000 a year. The median household income here is $78,448.
How much does it cost to live in Reno per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Reno is about $1,350 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Reno with nearby cities

Reno vs Sacramento Reno vs San Francisco Reno vs Fresno Reno vs Bakersfield Reno vs Boise Reno vs Las Vegas

Nearby cities

Sacramento, CA 111 mi San Francisco, CA 186 mi Fresno, CA 193 mi Bakersfield, CA 290 mi Boise, ID 338 mi Las Vegas, NV 345 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.