Skyline of Carson City
Cost of Living: 100 58,000

Carson City, NV, US

Nevada's capital with the Nevada State Museum, Lake Tahoe access, and historic charm.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 100

Below Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 105

Above Average

Median Income $58,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.8%

Job market health

Carson City vs US Average

Cost of Living
Carson City: 100
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Carson City: 105
US Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 8.2%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $58,000
  • Unemployment: 3.8%
  • Population: 58,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 255/year
  • Summer High: 90°F
  • Winter Low: 25°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5b

Housing

  • Median Home: $380,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1200/mo

Cost of Living

Carson City's cost of living index is 100 (US average = 100).

CategoryCarson CityNational AverageDifference
Overall1001000.0%
Housing105100+5.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$380,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1200/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,500/mo
Price per Sq Ft$253

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
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$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Carson City:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$103Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$86Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)$9Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$70Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$70Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$25Private service
Total Utilities$363Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Carson City scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
100
Rent
$1200
Sunny Days
255
Tax
None
Unemployment
3.8%
Climate
90°F / 25°F
Safety
5.8 homicides/100k
Population
58,000
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Carson City has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January45°F25°F2.5"
April75°F40°F2.8"
July90°F65°F1.5"
October70°F43°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5b

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Carson City faces the following natural hazards:

Heat Wave Extreme Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Drought Extreme Risk

Arid state with extreme drought conditions.

Wildfire High Risk

Frequent wildfire seasons.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Active seismic region with frequent earthquakes.

Flood Moderate Risk

Flash floods.

Sandstorm Moderate Risk

Dust storms in desert regions.

Avalanche Moderate Risk

Sierra Nevada with avalanches.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 8.25%
  • Property Tax: ~0.59% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.8%.

Schools & Education

34/100
School Quality Score
Better than 5% of US cities
?
11
Total Schools
15.9:1
Student:Teacher
94.9%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Carson City, NV, US?

The cost of living index in Carson City is 100, which is Lower the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Carson City?

The median home price in Carson City is $380,000. The housing index is 105.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Carson City is approximately $1200/mo.

Does Carson City, NV have income tax?

Carson City is in NV, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Carson City?

Carson City enjoys approximately 255 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 90°F, while winter lows can drop to around 25°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.