Is it cheaper to live in Reno or Spokane?

Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Reno, NV's $1,350, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Reno or Spokane?

Reno is taxed under Nevada's rules (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Reno vs Spokane Cost of Living 2026

Reno

Nevada

$1,350/mo est.

Spokane

Washington

$1,070/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,350 in Reno, NV versus $1,070 in Spokane, WA. Overall, Spokane, WA is roughly 21% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Reno, NV, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $78,448 in Reno, NV and $65,745 in Spokane, WA — about 16% higher in Reno, NV. Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Reno, NV

Spokane, WA

Rent

Studio

$964

$884

+8% in Reno, NV

1 Bedroom

$1,206

$903

+25% in Reno, NV

2 Bedroom

$1,518

$1,192

+21% in Reno, NV

3 Bedroom

$1,885

$1,442

+24% in Reno, NV

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$498,600

$326,200

+35% in Reno, NV

Income

Median Household Income

$78,448

$65,745

+16% in Reno, NV

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,660

$54,660

+10% in Spokane, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.3 yr

37.2 yr

+0.1 yr in Reno, NV

Homeownership

49.4%

58.3%

+8.9 pp in Spokane, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.7%

32.6%

+3.1 pp in Reno, NV

Avg Commute

20.6 min

21.2 min

+0.6 min in Spokane, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

528.9

683.6

+29% in Spokane, WA

Property Crime

2,489.3

4,931.8

+98% in Spokane, WA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

53.8°F

48.9°F

+4.9°F in Reno, NV

Annual Precipitation

7.4 in

17.8 in

+10.4 in in Spokane, WA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.09/gal

$5.12/gal

+1% in Spokane, WA

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.6

14.9

+10% in Spokane, WA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$12.09

$20.41

+69% in Spokane, WA

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 (NV / WA)

6.85%

6.5%

+0.3 pp in NV

Income Tax (top rate)

None

about equal

Reno vs Spokane — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Reno or Spokane?: Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Reno, NV's $1,350, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Reno than in Spokane?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $48,000 a year in Reno versus $36,000 in Spokane.
Which has lower taxes, Reno or Spokane?: Reno is taxed under Nevada's rules (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).