Cost of Living in Carson City, NV
Updated November 2026 · Carson City · Carson City, NV metro area · population 58,384
Prices in Carson City are 1.7% below the US average (local index 98.3; the BEA index for the Carson City, NV metro area is 98.1), with utilities the biggest saving at 92.7; a single adult's modelled budget is about $2,558 a month and the median rent is $1,248.
Prices by category
CostLiving local estimate. 100 = US average; 110 means prices are 10% higher. Housing reflects Carson City's own median rent compared with the area's average rent; goods, utilities and other services are BEA's official price parities for the Carson City, NV metro area, unchanged.
Carson City price index by category, US average = 100: All items 98.3, Housing (rents) 101.2, Goods 96.3, Utilities 92.7, Other services 98.7
It is the 8th most expensive of the 11 Nevada cities in our data. Cheaper than 64% of the cities we cover.
| BEA index | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 98.5 | 94.9 | 94.0 | 94.5 | 94.9 | 98.1 |
Monthly budget by household type
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Carson City, NV
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $903 | $10,836 | 35% |
| Utilities | $231 | $2,772 | 9% |
| Food at home | $272 | $3,264 | 11% |
| Transportation | $643 | $7,716 | 25% |
| Health care | $347 | $4,164 | 14% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $162 | $1,944 | 6% |
| Total | $2,558 | $30,696 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Carson City, NV
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,183 | $14,196 | 28% |
| Utilities | $368 | $4,416 | 9% |
| Food at home | $501 | $6,012 | 12% |
| Transportation | $1,270 | $15,240 | 30% |
| Health care | $643 | $7,716 | 15% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $319 | $3,828 | 7% |
| Total | $4,284 | $51,408 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Carson City, NV
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,499 | $17,988 | 28% |
| Utilities | $448 | $5,376 | 8% |
| Food at home | $715 | $8,580 | 13% |
| Transportation | $1,694 | $20,328 | 32% |
| Health care | $599 | $7,188 | 11% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $411 | $4,932 | 8% |
| Total | $5,366 | $64,392 | 100% |
Modelled estimate of basic costs, excluding taxes, child care and savings. Housing is rent excluding tenant-paid utilities (counted under utilities). See how the budget is calculated.
Housing costs in Carson City
Rent by number of bedrooms
| Size | Median rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $887 |
| 1 bedroom | $995 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,303 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,651 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,818 |
Median rent: Census ACS 2020-2024 median gross rent by bedrooms (rent plus tenant-paid utilities, all renters).
Rent, home values and affordability
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,248 |
| Median contract rent (excl. utilities) | $1,133 |
| Median home value | $453,000 |
| Owner costs with a mortgage | $1,874/mo |
| Median household income | $72,355 |
| Rent as % of renter income Moderate | 29.9% |
| Home value ÷ household income Expensive | 6.3× |
Census ACS 5-year 2020-2024.
Electricity and gas prices
Residential electricity in Nevada
12.72¢ per kWh, August 2026
12-month change: +1.4% (from 12.54¢) · US 18.16¢
Average household uses 908 kWh a month in Nevada ≈ $122/month. Source: EIA-861M (statewide average).
Regular gasoline regional figure: West Coast excl. California (PADD 5)
$4.77 per gallon, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change: +25.9% (from $3.79) · US $4.15
EIA weekly retail price survey; Nevada is covered by the West Coast excl. California (PADD 5) average.
Inflation in the West
Consumer prices in the West Census region rose +3.4% in the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%). Nationally, food at home changed +1.8%, shelter +3.2% and energy +20.4%. Source: BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted. CPI is published for regions and large metro areas, so the regional figure is shown.
Salary equivalent
Because prices in Carson City are 1.7% below the US average, $60,000 here has the buying power of about $61,000 in an average-priced US area.
Formula: US-equivalent = salary × 100 ÷ 98.3. Based on the local cost index (CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP and Census rents); taxes not included.
Nearby cities
| City | Distance | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Lake Tahoe, CA | 20 mi | 103.9 | $3,063 | $1,606 |
| Reno, NV | 28 mi | 101.8 | $2,867 | $1,556 |
| Sparks, NV | 29 mi | 104.0 | $2,886 | $1,716 |
| El Dorado Hills, CA | 77 mi | 115.7 | $3,915 | $2,552 |
| Folsom, CA | 82 mi | 113.2 | $3,881 | $2,352 |
| Rocklin, CA | 84 mi | 112.0 | $3,564 | $2,258 |
Cities with a similar cost of living
| City | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wake Forest, NC | 98.3 | $2,831 | $1,596 |
| Mableton, GA | 98.3 | $2,754 | $1,472 |
| Boise, ID | 98.3 | $2,716 | $1,446 |
| Merced, CA | 98.4 | $2,795 | $1,393 |
| Delano, CA | 98.4 | $2,422 | $1,199 |
| Catalina Foothills, AZ | 98.2 | $2,648 | $1,412 |
Compare Carson City with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Carson City, NV an expensive place to live?
Carson City has a local cost of living index of 98.3, which is 1.7% below the US average. This CostLiving estimate starts from the BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Carson City, NV metro area (98.1) and adjusts housing to Carson City's own rents. It is 1.7 points below the Nevada average. It is the 8th most expensive of the 11 Nevada cities in our data. Cheaper than 64% of the cities we cover.
How much money do you need to live in Carson City?
Our modelled estimate of basic monthly costs is $2,558 for a single adult, $4,284 for a couple and $5,366 for a family of four, before taxes, child care and savings. A $60,000 salary in an average-priced US area buys about the same as $59,000 in Carson City.
What is the average rent in Carson City?
The median gross rent (rent plus tenant-paid utilities) is $1,248 a month (Census ACS 2020-2024). By size: 1 bedroom $995, 2 bedrooms $1,303, 3 bedrooms $1,651. The typical renter spends 29.9% of household income on rent (moderate).
How much does a house cost in Carson City?
The median owner-estimated home value is $453,000, 6.3 times the median household income of $72,355 (expensive). Owners with a mortgage pay a median $1,874 a month in housing costs.
How much is electricity and gas in Carson City?
Nevada residential electricity averaged 12.72¢ per kWh in August 2026 (US 18.16¢). Regular gasoline was $4.77 a gallon (West Coast excl. California (PADD 5) average, week of 2026-11-02).
Sources and notes
- Local cost index: CostLiving estimate from BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Carson City, NV metropolitan statistical area (BEA index 98.1) with housing from Census ACS median rent (city figure); see the methodology.
- Rents, home values, income, population: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, Census place 3209700 (Carson City).
- Electricity: EIA-861M, Nevada residential average, August 2026.
- Gasoline: EIA weekly retail regular gasoline, West Coast excl. California (PADD 5), week of 2026-11-02.
- Inflation: BLS CPI-U West region, September 2026.
- Budget baselines: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2025; electricity use by household size: EIA RECS 2020.
- Gasoline price: regional figure (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Labels such as “county figure” or “state nonmetro figure” mark values that come from a larger area because the city-level figure is unavailable or unreliable. The monthly budget is a modelled estimate, not observed spending, and excludes taxes. This page is for general information and is not financial advice. Methodology · All sources