Skyline of Reno
Cost of Living: 108.5 273,448

Reno, NV, US

The Biggest Little City with no state income tax, Tahoe proximity, and a tech boom.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 108.5

Above Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 118.2

Above Average

Median Income $62,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.6%

Job market health

Reno vs US Average

Cost of Living
Reno: 108.5
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Reno: 118.2
US Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 8.3%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $62,000
  • Unemployment: 3.6%
  • Population: 273,448

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 252/year
  • Summer High: 92°F
  • Winter Low: 24°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5a

Housing

  • Median Home: $480,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1450/mo

Cost of Living

Reno's cost of living index is 108.5 (US average = 100).

CategoryRenoNational AverageDifference
Overall108.5100+8.5%
Housing118.2100+18.2%

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

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$480,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1450/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,813/mo
Price per Sq Ft$320

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
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Reno:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$115Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$88Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)$15Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$65Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$60Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$30Private service
Total Utilities$373Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

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

Remote Work Score

Reno scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
108.5
Rent
$1450
Sunny Days
252
Tax
None
Unemployment
3.6%
Climate
92°F / 24°F
Safety
8.3 homicides/100k
Population
273,448
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Reno has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January44°F24°F2.5"
April77°F39°F2.8"
July92°F67°F1.5"
October72°F42°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5a

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Reno faces the following natural hazards:

Drought Extreme Risk

Arid environment.

Heat Wave High Risk

Summer heat.

Wildfire High Risk

Wildfire risk in surrounding mountains.

Blizzard Moderate Risk

Winter storms.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Seismic activity.

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: 8.265%
  • Property Tax: ~0.64% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.6%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Reno per 100,000 residents:

529.6
Violent Crime
2,445.1
Property Crime
8.3
Homicide

Data source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting

Schools & Education

42/100
School Quality Score
Better than 36% of US cities
?
80
Total Schools
10.1:1
Student:Teacher
97.6%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Universities & Higher Education

2
Universities
#700
Top University Rank
Top-Ranked University University of Nevada, Reno

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

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 Reno, NV, US?

The cost of living index in Reno is 108.5, which is Higher the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Reno?

The median home price in Reno is $480,000. The housing index is 118.2.

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

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Reno is approximately $1450/mo.

Does Reno, NV have income tax?

Reno is in NV, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Reno?

Reno enjoys approximately 252 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 92°F, while winter lows can drop to around 24°F.

Relocation Guides

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.