Lakewood vs Reno
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lakewood
Reno
The Verdict
Living in Reno costs 19.8% less than Lakewood. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Lakewood, you would need $62,594 in Reno.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Lakewood has the same purchasing power as $62,594 in Reno.
Conversely, $75,000 in Reno equals $89,865 in Lakewood.
Living in Lakewood vs Reno
Housing Costs
Lakewood's housing index of 188 is higher Reno's 133, translating to median home prices of $574,000 vs $450,000. The $124,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,064 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Lakewood compared to $1,600/mo in Reno, a monthly difference of $250.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Lakewood and 102 in Reno. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Lakewood 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 85 in Lakewood and 93 in Reno. Monthly utility bills average approximately $340 in Lakewood vs $372 in Reno. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 84 in Lakewood and 96 in Reno. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $83,800 in Lakewood and $61,648 in Reno. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,008 and $55,539 respectively. Lakewood residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,955/month to housing in Lakewood vs $1,438/month in Reno. In Lakewood, median rent of $1,850/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 55 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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