Moving from Las Vegas, NV to Reno, NV
About 4,426 people made this move in a typical year (Census Bureau metro-to-metro migration flows, ACS 5-year 2016-2020). Here is what the move does to two households’ budgets after 2026 taxes — and the salary each needs in Reno, NV.
Single, $70k: line by line
Single adult earning $70,000, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (1 bedroom). Taxes take 17.0% of income in Las Vegas, NV and 17.0% in Reno, NV.
Las Vegas, NV Reno, NV (monthly)
| Monthly | Las Vegas, NV | Reno, NV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,833 | $5,833 | $0 |
| Taxes | $994 | $994 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law | $548 | $548 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $446 | $446 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law · no state tax on wages | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $4,840 | $4,840 | $0 |
| Housing | $1,435 | $1,460 | +$25 |
| Rent, 1-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,435 | $1,460 | +$25 |
| Food | $424 | $424 | $0 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 96.3 | $424 | $424 | $0 |
| Transportation | $205 | $205 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 12,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $5.12/gal (West Coast less California (PADD)) | $205 | $205 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $33 | $33 | $0 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 6.85% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $33 | $33 | $0 |
| Other goods & services | $975 | $975 | $0 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 96.3 | $481 | $481 | $0 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 98.7 | $494 | $494 | $0 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $1,768 | $1,743 | −$25 |
Family of four, $120k: line by line
Two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child, $120,000 combined, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms), center-based childcare in current dollars. Taxes take 12.3% of income in Las Vegas, NV and 12.3% in Reno, NV.
Las Vegas, NV Reno, NV (monthly)
| Monthly | Las Vegas, NV | Reno, NV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,235 | $1,235 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law · after $4,400 Child Tax Credit | $470 | $470 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $765 | $765 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law · no state tax on wages | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $8,765 | $8,765 | $0 |
| Housing | $1,686 | $1,837 | +$151 |
| Rent, 2-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,686 | $1,837 | +$151 |
| Childcare | $2,340 | $2,076 | −$263 |
| Childcare, center-basedDOL NDCP 2022 · preschool $211/wk, school-age $181/wk (2022 prices, Washoe County, NV); × 1.2224 BLS CPI day care, 2022 to 2026-08 | $2,340 | $2,076 | −$263 |
| Food | $1,235 | $1,235 | $0 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 96.3 | $1,235 | $1,235 | $0 |
| Transportation | $409 | $409 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 24,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $5.12/gal (West Coast less California (PADD)) | $409 | $409 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $33 | $33 | $0 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 6.85% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $33 | $33 | $0 |
| Other goods & services | $975 | $975 | $0 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 96.3 | $481 | $481 | $0 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 98.7 | $494 | $494 | $0 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $2,087 | $2,200 | +$112 |
Las Vegas, NV vs Reno, NV at a glance
| Measure | Las Vegas, NV | Reno, NV |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US = 100) | 100.2 | 101.0 |
| Housing price level | 115.5 | 123.5 |
| 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,435 | $1,460 |
| 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,686 | $1,837 |
| 3-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $2,317 | $2,452 |
| Median home value | $431,000 | $502,300 |
| Effective property-tax rate | 0.48% | 0.45% |
| Median household income | $76,472 | $87,485 |
| Center infant care / week (DOL NDCP 2022 unless noted) | $276 | $257 |
| State income tax on wages | No | No |
| Mandatory local income tax (principal city) | None in our data | None in our data |
| State sales tax | 6.85% | 6.85% |
| Regular gasoline | $5.12 | $5.12 |
| Average electric bill (state) | $115 | $115 |
Sources: BEA RPP 2024; HUD FMR FY2027; Census ACS 2020-2024; DOL NDCP 2022; 2026 tax law; state revenue departments; EIA (electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05).
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to make in Reno, NV to keep my Las Vegas, NV lifestyle?+
For a single renter earning $70,000 in Las Vegas, NV, about $70,427 in Reno, NV (+0.6%). For two adults with a preschooler and a school-age child on $120,000, about $118,321. Both keep the same money left over after 2026 taxes, rent, childcare, food, fuel and other modeled costs.
Is Reno, NV cheaper than Las Vegas, NV?+
On BEA’s 2024 price index, Reno, NV is at 101.0 and Las Vegas, NV at 100.2 (US = 100). After taxes and household costs, a single renter on $70,000 would have −$25 a month in Reno, NV.
How many people move from Las Vegas, NV to Reno, NV?+
About 4,426 people a year (±897), according to the Census Bureau’s metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020).
What isn’t included?+
Moving costs, health insurance, car payments and insurance, local sales tax add-ons and differences in wages between the two metros. Add known monthly costs in the calculator’s “Fixed costs / month” field.