Cost of Living in Nevada

(Last Updated – September 4,2025)

Nevada offers very different lifestyles, depending on the location you choose there. Large cities, like Las Vegas and Reno, attract those who crave 24/7 nightlife, entertainment, and access to thriving job markets in hospitality, health services, education, and tech. The state also welcomes those who prefer a more natural environment, offering access to outdoor recreation and natural landmarks, like Lake Tahoe and Great Basin National Park.

Like other states, Nevada has its downsides. The state’s extreme weather — three-figure heat during the summer and extreme cold in mountain areas — as well as relatively few job opportunities outside its major cities could discourage prospective Nevadans.

If you’re thinking about living in the Silver State, here’s what to know about the cost of living in Nevada.

What’s the Average Cost of Living in Nevada?

Average cost of living in Nevada: $54,054 per year

Nevada has the lowest cost of living among the states in the Far West, a category that includes Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington.

The Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC) identifies the cost of living in the U.S. by state. The national index score is fixed at 100; the lower a state’s cost of living index (COLI) compared to the national baseline, the less expensive it is to live there. A COLI above 100 suggests a higher cost of living compared to the national average.

Nevada’s COLI is 99.5, slightly below the national index. The average cost of living in Nevada is significantly lower than coastal neighbors like California (141.6) and Oregon (112.7).

The Bureau of Economic Analysis breaks down the average Nevadan’s personal annual expenditures as follows.

Category	Average Annual Per-Capita Cost in Nevada
Housing and Utilities	$10,329
Health Care	$7,198
Food and Beverages (nonrestaurant)	$4,562
Gas and Energy Goods	$1,276
All Other Personal Expenditures	$30,688

The average monthly expenses Nevada residents can expect to pay comes to about $4,504 per person.

Housing Costs in Nevada

Median Housing Costs in Nevada: $1,622 to $1,867 per month

Housing options in Nevada are diverse — the state’s bustling cities offer modern high-rise living while its rural areas offer large plots of land. Nevada has 1,281,018 housing units as of August 25, 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The average home value in Nevada’s housing market is $452,606, compared to The national average of $368,581. The average monthly mortgage payment in Nevada is $2,567.51. Whether you’re buying your first home in the state or you’re a repeat buyer, chances are you can find a place that’s relatively affordable.

Rental housing costs in Nevada, according to the latest census data, are as follows:

•  Median studio rent: $1,230

•  Median one-bedroom rent: $1,333

•  Median two-bedroom rent: $1,575

•  Median three-bedroom rent: $1,930

•  Median four-bedroom rent: $2,228

•  Median five-bedroom or more rent: $2,663

•  Median gross rent: $1,622

Below is a snapshot of what average home values are in different cities across the state, based on Zillow’s August 2025 data.

Nevada City	Average Home Value
Carson City	$493,876
Elko	$355,420
Henderson	$494,576
Las Vegas	$434,234
Mesquite	$385,728
Reno	$566,164
Sparks	$524,485

Utility Costs in Nevada

Average Utility Costs in Nevada: $388.62 per month

In addition to a monthly rent or mortgage payment, you’ll need to budget utility costs into your monthly cost of living in Nevada. Here are common utilities and the average monthly bill for each.

Utility	Average Nevada Bill
Electricity	$145.62
Natural Gas	$56
Cable & Internet	$115
Water	$72

Food & Beverages

Average Food and Beverage Costs in Nevada: $380 per month

Monthly expenses for groceries and food vary, depending on your palate and appetite. Generally, Nevadans spend an average of $4,562 annually on food and beverages; this breaks down into about $380 per month, per person.

For a family of four, food expenditures work out to an average of $1,520 per month. According to the Council for Community and Economic Research, there’s not a dramatic difference in food costs in the two main cities.

Nevada Area	Grocery Items Index
Las Vegas	103.7
Reno-Sparks	102.9

Transportation

Average Transportation Costs in Nevada: $10,520 to $19,575 per year

A majority of Nevada households (92.9%) have at least one personal vehicle, according to a Forbes Advisor study. That research also found that the state tied with California for being the most expensive state in which to own a car. Larger cities offer public transit, like bus routes and intercity rail systems, as well as access to rideshare and taxis in metro and tourist areas.

The transportation costs households can expect depend on the number of family members per household. Here’s an example of how annual transportation expenses vary, based on MIT’s 2025 Living Wage Calculator.

Family Makeup	Average Annual Transportation Cost
One adult, no children	$10,520
Two working adults, no children	$12,175
Two working adults, three children	$19,575

Health Care in Nevada

Average Health Care Costs in Nevada: $7,198 per person, per year

The average amount that Nevada residents spend on health care is $7,198 per person, annually, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. This spending category, however, fluctuates based on multiple factors. Age, current health and pre-existing conditions, medical needs, and insurance coverage all contribute to the cost of health care in Nevada.

Child Care

Average Child Care Costs in Nevada: $808 to $1,109 per child, per month

Child care is often a significant expenditure for families. Certain types of child care in Nevada have monthly costs in four figures, almost as high as the average rent in the state. Households with one or more children face a significantly higher cost of living in Nevada than those that don’t require child care.

Here are average costs of care per month in Nevada, per child, based on data from CostofChildCare.org.

Type of Child Care	Average Cost Per Month, Per Child
Infant Classroom	$1,109
Toddler Classroom	$909
Preschooler Classroom	$808
Home-Based Family Child Care	$1,057

Taxes

Average Taxes in Nevada: No statutory state income tax.

Nevada is one of eight U.S. states that don’t impose a statutory state income tax, according to the Tax Foundation. This can be a big draw for many people who are interested in moving to Nevada.

Miscellaneous Costs

After budgeting for the essential monthly cost of living in Nevada, you’ll likely want to have funds set aside for discretionary spending. Here are a handful of the diverse leisure experiences that the state offers.

•  The Sphere Experience in Las Vegas: $182 to $300+, before fees

•  Sand Harbor State Park entrance fee: $10 for residents

•  Las Vegas Raiders Stadium Ticket: Starting at $211

•  Entrance to Lake Mead National Park: $15-$25 for a standard pass

Thanks to the mix of activities available in the state, there’s something to do for all budget ranges.

How Much Money Do You Need to Live Comfortably in Nevada?

How much you need to earn to maintain a comfortable lifestyle in Nevada depends on many individual factors. For example, family size, location, and lifestyle all contribute to how far your income will stretch in Nevada.

That said, there are metrics about how much you need to live in Nevada, though living comfortably may require a bit more. The cost of living for one Nevadan is $54,054 per year, and MIT’s 2025 Living Wage Calculator finds that a living wage for a single, working adult who doesn’t have a child is $23.85 per hour. By way of comparison, the breadwinner in a family of four with only one working adult must make $43.20 hourly.

According to the U.S. News & World Report’s state rankings, Nevada comes in at 34th for affordability, and MERIC ranks Nevada in the middle of the pack with a cost of living index score of 99.5.

What City Has the Lowest Cost of Living in Nevada?

When it comes to the average cost of living in Nevada, there can be significant variations in different areas. Below is a brief comparison of the state’s two major metropolitan areas, based on data from the Council for Community and Economic Research’s 2024 Cost of Living Index.

Las Vegas, Nevada

With a population of 641,903, the Las Vegas metro area is located in southern Nevada. It’s part of Clark County and includes the Henderson and Paradise areas. Its landmark — the Las Vegas Strip — is famous for its vibrant nightlife, gambling, entertainment, and world-class dining. It has a COLI of 98.5, just under the national score.

Reno, Nevada

Reno-Sparks, Nevada has a COLI of 104.1. It’s located in the Truckee Meadows, east of the Sierra Nevada mountains. The metropolitan area includes two counties, Washoe and Storey. As many as 264,165 residents live in Reno and 108,445 in Sparks. Lake Tahoe offers residents nearby access to outdoor activities, like skiing, hiking, and water recreation. The area is also becoming a hotspot for the tech industry, drawing companies and talent from all areas of the country.

Helpful Resources for Future Nevada Residents