Facts to Know Before Moving to Reno
How much do you know about the Biggest Little City in the World? Here's the scoop on living in Reno.
The casinos may be what draw visitors to Reno, but the “Biggest Little City in the World” has become an exciting, alluring locale for renters who can look past the slot machines. For one thing, the famous nickname is a bit of a misnomer these days: with a quarter-million people inside the city limits alone, the community has become one of the busier metro areas in the region. There are incredible apartments on offer, from upscale lofts to communities that offer endless amenities.
Downtown Reno is certainly best known for its gambling, but there’s a multitude of attractions to experience in this neon-lit city. Delight in the shopping at the Summit in southern Reno, or experience some of the museums, performing arts venues, world-class restaurants, and diverse nightlife hotspots that offer something for every taste.
The natural landscape surrounding Reno is perhaps the most appealing aspect for many. The Sierra Nevada mountain range is ideal for hiking, camping, mountain biking, and skiing, plus the scenery alone is unbeatable. With Lake Tahoe just a few miles away, you may find yourself tempted to spend every weekend soaking in the fresh air and sunshine in Nevada’s rugged, unspoiled wilderness.
The Silver Legacy Resort is part of a connected network of Reno casinos
The Reno Arch, built in 1926, is the city's most-recognized landmark
As of March 2026, the average apartment rent in Reno, NV is $1,157 for a studio, $1,474 for one bedroom, $1,812 for two bedrooms, and $2,335 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Reno has increased by 1.9% in the past year.
The cost of living in Reno, NV is 3.6% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in Reno is 18.8% more expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,157 - $2,335. You can expect to pay 2.6% more for groceries, 21.6% less for utilities, and 17.0% more for transportation.
How much do you know about the Biggest Little City in the World? Here's the scoop on living in Reno.
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Reno, NV is for everyday living.
Somewhat Walkable
You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.
Some Transit
You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.
Bikeable
While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.
Public
Grades K-5
Public
Grades PK-5
Public
Grades PK-8
Rollan D. Melton Elementary School
Public
Grades PK-5
Public
Grades PK-5
Public
Grades PK-8
Public
Grades 6-8
Public
Grades 6-8
Public
Grades 6-8
High Desert Montessori Charter School
Public
Grades PK-8
Public
Grades 9-12
Public
Grades 9-12
Public
Grades 9-12
Public
Grades 9-12
Public
Grades 9-12
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
39
Communities
5,194
Units
13
Cities
34
Communities
4,036
Units
15
Cities
14
Communities
3,431
Units
4
Cities
71
Communities
13,841
Units
55
Cities
33
Communities
5,024
Units
27
Cities
31
Communities
13,002
Units
15
Cities
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.