CostIndexUSA

Pasadena, CA vs Reno, NV Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Pasadena
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent
More AffordableNV
Reno
101
overall index
$1,900/mo rent

Reno is moderately cheaper than Pasadena — 11.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Pasadena, you would need $71,100 in Reno. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing27.5%
Pasadena
170.4
Reno
123.5
🛒 Groceries9.7%
Pasadena
106.6
Reno
96.3
🚗 Transportation5.4%
Pasadena
109.6
Reno
103.7
🏥 Healthcare5.3%
Pasadena
99.1
Reno
93.8
Utilities43.7%
Pasadena
158.6
Reno
89.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Pasadena to see what you'd need to earn in Reno to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Reno, NV
$71,100
$8,900 less needed in Reno

Formula: salary × (101 ÷ 113.6) = salary × 0.8891. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Pasadena, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Reno, NV

Median Home Price
$551,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,900
Housing Index
123.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.2×

Pasadena has 27.5% lower housing costs compared to Reno.

Income & Job Market

Pasadena, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
141,029
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationHealthcareEntertainmentFinance

Reno, NV

Median Household Income
$83,800
Per Capita Income
$47,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
264,165
Top Industries
GamingHealthcareManufacturingTechnologyLogistics

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Pasadena, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Reno, NV
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.