City Comparison

Erie vs Reno

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Erie

Pennsylvania
81
Very Affordable
$165,000
Median Home
$925/mo
Median Rent
$43,400
Median Income

Reno

Nevada
111
Above Average
$450,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$61,648
Median Income

The Verdict

27.0%

Living in Erie costs 27.0% less than Reno. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Erie, you would need $102,778 in Reno.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
55
Erie
133
Reno
Groceries
97
Erie
102
Reno
Utilities
109
Erie
93
Reno
Transportation
113
Erie
105
Reno
Healthcare
89
Erie
96
Reno

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Erie has the same purchasing power as $102,778 in Reno.

Conversely, $75,000 in Reno equals $54,730 in Erie.

Living in Erie vs Reno

Housing Costs

Erie's housing index of 55 is lower Reno's 133, translating to median home prices of $165,000 vs $450,000. The $285,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,528 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $925/mo in Erie compared to $1,600/mo in Reno, a monthly difference of $675.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Erie and 102 in Reno. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Erie vs $485/month in Reno. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 109 in Erie and 93 in Reno. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Erie vs $372 in Reno. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 89 in Erie and 96 in Reno. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $43,400 in Erie and $61,648 in Reno. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $53,580 and $55,539 respectively. Reno residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,013/month to housing in Erie vs $1,438/month in Reno. In Erie, median rent of $925/mo fits within this budget. In Reno, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 78 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Erie is 27.0% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 111.
A $75,000 salary in Erie has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $102,778 in Reno, based on the cost of living difference.
Erie's housing index is 55 with median homes at $165,000, while Reno's is 133 with median homes at $450,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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