Are you considering a move to the amazing state of Nevada? There is a long list of great reasons why you should call this state home. Whether you’re attracted to the warm weather in the southern portion of the state or having no state income tax, here you’ll find there is something for everyone. From Lake Tahoe to Lake Mead, you’ll have so many beautiful places to visit while having plenty of things to do in your free time. And with the wide variety of job opportunities, it’s easy to see why someone would want to move to Nevada. However, when choosing your next home, you have to consider the cost of living in each city.
The cost of living in Nevada is higher than the national average. And depending on where you choose to call home, you can look to be going even higher than that. With some planning, you can make anywhere in Nevada a great place to live. So before you pack up your stuff and head out west, check out the breakdown of the cost of living in Nevada compared with three cities in The Silver State. This scale is based on a U.S. average of 100.
Overall
| Cost of Living | Nevada | Las Vegas | Reno | Elko |
| Overall | 110.5 | 111.6 | 116.2 | 100.1 |
| Grocery | 100.3 | 102.3 | 102.3 | 92.2 |
| Health | 92.4 | 92.3 | 92 | 110.5 |
| Housing | 127.5 | 118.2 | 160.3 | 103.3 |
| Utilities | 97.2 | 102.6 | 95.6 | 93.2 |
| Transportation | 116.7 | 128.6 | 94.2 | 92.6 |
| Miscellaneous | 99 | 103.6 | 99.2 | 103.9 |
Housing
Average Monthly Rent by Bedroom Size
| Nevada | Las Vegas | Reno | Elko | |
| Studio | $848 | $800 | $873 | $783 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,002 | $948 | $1,044 | $908 |
| 2 Bedroom | $1,227 | $1,147 | $1,314 | $1,179 |
Median Home Prices
| Nevada | Las Vegas | Reno | Elko | |
| Home price | $397,226 | $372,098 | $534,043 | $$319,933 |
| Monthly mortgage + interest for 30-year loan | $1,793 | $1,680 | $2,489 | $1,444 |
Transportation
| Nevada | Las Vegas | Reno | Elko | |
| Gas (per gallon) | $3.92 | $3.89 | $4.15 | $2.95 |
| Monthly public transit pass | N/A | $65 | $65 | N/A |
Food
| Las Vegas | Reno | Elko | |
| Bread | $2.51 | $2.59 | $2.42 |
| Rice per pound | $1.48 | $1.30 | $2.61 |
| Dozen eggs | $1.84 | $2.51 | $2.88 |
| Gallon of milk | $3.13 | $3.35 | $5.23 |
| 1.5-liter bottle of water | $1.61 | $2.18 | $2.66 |
| Domestic Beer | $1.86 | $2.02 | $1.50 |
| Inexpensive Restaurant meal | $15.00 | $15.00 | $15.00 |
| McMeal at McDonald’s | $8.00 | $9.00 | $7.50 |
| Cappuccino | $4.95 | $4.87 | $5.00 |
Entertainment
| Las Vegas | Reno | Elko | |
| Movie ticket | $11.99 | $9.00 | $8.00 |
| Bowling game | $4.00 | $10.00 | $4.16 |
| NFL Game | $187 | N/A | N/A |
| NHL Game | $29 | N/A | N/A |
| Minor League Baseball Game | $12 | $32 | N/A |
| Minor League Soccer Game | $27 | N/A | N/A |
A move to a new state can be a bit daunting, but there are plenty of benefits to calling the Silver State home. And if you plan accordingly then you are sure to enjoy living in this amazing state. What are your experiences with living in these cities with the high cost of living? And what keeps you in the area? Let us know in the comments.
For more information about the cost of living in Nevada and its cities be sure to check out our sources from Best Places as well as Numbo.
While you’re here be sure to check out some of our other blog posts, like this one where you can find some amazing local farmer’s markets. And if you’re considering a move to this amazing state, you can be sure to find your next dream apartment here.
