Is it cheaper to live in Little Rock or Reno?

Little Rock, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Reno, NV's $1,350, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Little Rock versus $48,000 in Reno.

Which has lower taxes, Little Rock or Reno?

Little Rock is taxed under Arkansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax); Reno under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax).

Little Rock vs Reno Cost of Living 2026

Little Rock

Arkansas

$1,080/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 $1,080 in Little Rock, AR versus $1,350 in Reno, NV. Overall, Little Rock, AR is roughly 20% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Reno, NV, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $60,583 in Little Rock, AR and $78,448 in Reno, NV — about 23% higher in Reno, NV. Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax; Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax.

Little Rock, AR

Reno, NV

Rent

Studio

$981

$964

+2% in Little Rock, AR

1 Bedroom

$904

$1,206

+33% in Reno, NV

2 Bedroom

$1,064

$1,518

+43% in Reno, NV

3 Bedroom

$1,292

$1,885

+46% in Reno, NV

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$221,200

$498,600

+125% in Reno, NV

Income

Median Household Income

$60,583

$78,448

+29% in Reno, NV

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,790

$49,660

+8% in Reno, NV

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.4 yr

37.3 yr

+0.9 yr in Reno, NV

Homeownership

54.2%

49.4%

+4.8 pp in Little Rock, AR

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.0%

35.7%

+8.3 pp in Little Rock, AR

Avg Commute

18.3 min

20.6 min

+2.3 min in Reno, NV

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,673

528.9

+68% in Little Rock, AR

Property Crime

5,251.5

2,489.3

+53% in Little Rock, AR

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

62.7°F

53.8°F

+8.9°F in Little Rock, AR

Annual Precipitation

49.8 in

7.4 in

+42.4 in in Little Rock, AR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$5.09/gal

+40% in Reno, NV

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.4

13.6

+5% in Little Rock, AR

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$25.93

$12.09

+53% in Little Rock, AR

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Reno, NV

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Reno, NV

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Little Rock, AR

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Reno, NV

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Reno, NV

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Reno, NV

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AR / NV)

6.5%

6.85%

+0.3 pp in NV

Income Tax (top rate)

3.90%

None

+3.9 pp in AR

Little Rock vs Reno — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Little Rock or Reno?: Little Rock, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Reno, NV's $1,350, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Little Rock than in Reno?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Little Rock versus $48,000 in Reno.
Which has lower taxes, Little Rock or Reno?: Little Rock is taxed under Arkansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% 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).