Reno vs Santa Ana: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Reno, Nevada compare to Santa Ana, California? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Reno is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 26% lower in Reno compared to Santa Ana, while rent is 28% lower. NV has no state income tax.
| Metric | Reno, NV | Santa Ana, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $462,100 | $624,000 | -25.9% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360 | $1,885 | -27.9% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $73,073 | $84,210 | -13.2% |
| Per Capita Income | $43,245 | $27,328 | +58.2% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | None | 13.3% | -100.0% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.2% | 8.7% | -5.2% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 265,196 | 311,379 | -14.8% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Reno
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Santa Ana
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Reno costs $462,100 compared to $624,000 in Santa Ana — a 26% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,360/mo in Reno vs $1,885/mo in Santa Ana.
- Income: Median household income is $73,073 in Reno and $84,210 in Santa Ana.
- Taxes: Nevada has no state income tax, while California has a 13.3% rate.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).