Is it cheaper to live in Newark or Reno?

Newark, NJ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,210 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Reno, NV's $1,350, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Newark versus $48,000 in Reno.

Which has lower taxes, Newark or Reno?

Newark is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax); Reno under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax).

Newark vs Reno Cost of Living 2026

Newark

New Jersey

$1,210/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 $1,210 in Newark, NJ versus $1,350 in Reno, NV. Overall, Newark, NJ is roughly 10% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Reno, NV, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $48,416 in Newark, NJ and $78,448 in Reno, NV — about 38% higher in Reno, NV. New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax; Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax.

Newark, NJ

Reno, NV

Rent

Studio

$1,111

$964

+13% in Newark, NJ

1 Bedroom

$978

$1,206

+23% in Reno, NV

2 Bedroom

$1,386

$1,518

+10% in Reno, NV

3 Bedroom

$1,695

$1,885

+11% in Reno, NV

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$337,800

$498,600

+48% in Reno, NV

Income

Median Household Income

$48,416

$78,448

+62% in Reno, NV

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$61,430

$49,660

+19% in Newark, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.8 yr

37.3 yr

+2.5 yr in Reno, NV

Homeownership

24.1%

49.4%

+25.3 pp in Reno, NV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

17.4%

35.7%

+18.3 pp in Reno, NV

Avg Commute

33.2 min

20.6 min

+12.6 min in Newark, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

582.5

528.9

+9% in Newark, NJ

Property Crime

1,961.8

2,489.3

+27% in Reno, NV

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

54.9°F

53.8°F

+1.1°F in Newark, NJ

Annual Precipitation

46.3 in

7.4 in

+38.9 in in Newark, NJ

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$5.09/gal

+32% in Reno, NV

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.3

13.6

+42% in Newark, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.93

$12.09

+24% in Newark, NJ

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Reno, NV

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Reno, NV

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Reno, NV

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.01

+8% in Newark, NJ

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.70

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NJ / NV)

6.625%

6.85%

+0.2 pp in NV

Income Tax (top rate)

10.75%

None

+10.8 pp in NJ

Newark vs Reno — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Newark or Reno?: Newark, NJ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,210 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Reno, NV's $1,350, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Newark than in Reno?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Newark versus $48,000 in Reno.
Which has lower taxes, Newark or Reno?: Newark is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% 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).