Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
4% cheaper
Salt Lake City is 4% more affordable than Reno. A $75,000 salary in Reno is equivalent to $72,297 in Salt Lake City.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Nevada salaries · Utah salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Reno has a housing index of 133 while Salt Lake City sits at 120 (national average = 100). The median home in Reno costs $450,000 compared to $440,000 in Salt Lake City, a difference of $10,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,600 in Reno versus $1,500 in Salt Lake City.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Reno scores 102 while Salt Lake City scores 99. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Reno (96) are lower than Salt Lake City (97). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Reno is $61,648 compared to $60,590 in Salt Lake City. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Salt Lake City.
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