Is it cheaper to live in Denver or Reno?

Reno, NV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,350 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Denver, CO's $1,750, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Denver than in Reno?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Denver versus $48,000 in Reno.

Which has lower taxes, Denver or Reno?

Denver is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Reno under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax).

Denver vs Reno Cost of Living 2026

Denver

Colorado

$1,750/mo est.

Reno

Nevada

$1,350/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,750 in Denver, CO versus $1,350 in Reno, NV. Overall, Reno, NV is roughly 23% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Denver, CO, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $91,681 in Denver, CO and $78,448 in Reno, NV — about 14% higher in Denver, CO. Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax; Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax.

Denver, CO

Reno, NV

Rent

Studio

$1,497

$964

+36% in Denver, CO

1 Bedroom

$1,583

$1,206

+24% in Denver, CO

2 Bedroom

$1,958

$1,518

+22% in Denver, CO

3 Bedroom

$2,269

$1,885

+17% in Denver, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$586,700

$498,600

+15% in Denver, CO

Income

Median Household Income

$91,681

$78,448

+14% in Denver, CO

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$62,320

$49,660

+20% in Denver, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

37.3 yr

+2.1 yr in Reno, NV

Homeownership

49.1%

49.4%

+0.3 pp in Reno, NV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

55.6%

35.7%

+19.9 pp in Denver, CO

Avg Commute

25.4 min

20.6 min

+4.8 min in Denver, CO

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

999.3

528.9

+47% in Denver, CO

Property Crime

4,781.1

2,489.3

+48% in Denver, CO

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

50.2°F

53.8°F

+3.6°F in Reno, NV

Annual Precipitation

15.6 in

7.4 in

+8.2 in in Denver, CO

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$5.09/gal

+19% in Reno, NV

Area: Denver vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.75

—

Adult base one-way fare — RTD vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.2

13.6

+16% in Denver, CO

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.92

$12.09

+1% in Reno, NV

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

about equal

Bread (lb)

$2.04

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

about equal

Average prices — West vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CO / NV)

2.9%

6.85%

+3.9 pp in NV

Income Tax (top rate)

4.40%

None

+4.4 pp in CO

Denver vs Reno — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Denver or Reno?: Reno, NV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,350 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Denver, CO's $1,750, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Denver than in Reno?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Denver versus $48,000 in Reno.
Which has lower taxes, Denver or Reno?: Denver is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Reno under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).