A renter’s guide to the cheapest areas in Nevada
Looking to save on rent? It may be time to move to one of these eight Nevada towns, the cheapest areas for renters in the Silver State.
We’re number two! That’s right, Nevada is the second-worst state for renters, according to Consumer Affairs.
But don’t despair: The Silver State ranks fourth in rental availability. You win some, you lose some.
While real estate website Zillow lists the average rental price in Nevada at $1,975, online renter’s guide Apartments.com comes in lower at $1,325. Consumer Affairs offers a middle ground, quoting a monthly cost of $1,489 for a two-bedroom apartment.
The safest neighborhoods in Nevada’s metropolitan cities, Las Vegas in the south and Reno in the north, can get pricey for renters, but there are many smaller towns in the state with a low cost of living and lower rent. The eight areas below are among the safest and cheapest places to live in Nevada, according to real estate company RealAlpha.com, home-buying platform Houzeo.com, and World Population Review.
Carlin
Median Rent: Between $650 and $825
Cost of Living: 9.1% cheaper than the national average
Once a major stop along the transcontinental railroad, Carlin is a town with a pioneering spirit and a population of 2,376. Located along Interstate 80 in Northeastern Nevada, 23 miles west of Elko, the Elko County town comprises only 9 square miles. Today, its primary industry is mining, with two of the world’s biggest open-pit gold mines nearby. The community enjoys hiking trails and other recreational opportunities in the Carlin Canyon, and the town offers easy access to dining, gaming, parks, churches, and other local services.
West Wendover
Median Rent: $450
Cost of Living: 2.9% cheaper than the national average
Further along Interstate 80 on the northeastern border with Utah, West Wendover is a thriving community in Elko County with a population of 4,512. A tourist town, its mascot is a 63-story neon cowboy named Wendover Will, which was designated the World’s Largest Mechanical Cowboy by the “Guinness Book of Records” in 1952. West Wendover is a flourishing city with hotels, casinos, restaurants, bars, a cannabis dispensary, a golf course, museums, and outdoor recreation.
Winemucca
Median Rent: Between $730 and $1,985
Cost of Living: 3.6% cheaper than the national average
Named for a Northern Paiute family of historical significance, Chief Winnemucca and his activist/author daughter, Sarah Winnemucca, Winnemucca is located along the Humboldt River, 72 miles northeast of Lovelock. Like its neighboring towns along the I-80, the small Nevada town arose during the Transcontinental Railroad, attracting pioneering sheepherders from Europe’s Basque Country, Chinese workers, and cowboys. Today, the town has hotels, casinos, dining (including Basque cuisine), museums, and outdoor recreation, such as fishing in the river and riding ATVs in Nevada’s largest sand dunes.
Yerington
Median Rent: Between $800 and $1,700
Cost of Living: 6% cheaper than the national average
With easy access to the Walker River State Recreation Area, Yerington is home to about 3,139 residents, including the Yerington Paiute Tribe (Numu). It is located less than two hours from Reno, in Lyon County, at the intersection of US 95 and Nevada State Route 208. A quiet farming town in Northwestern Nevada, Yerington has been home to the Numu people since 1000 AD. It became a trading post in 1871 and is today home to the Lyon County Fair.
Elko
Median Rent: Between $848 and $2,900
Cost of Living: 9.1% cheaper than the national average
A historic location with an artsy vibe, Elko is the largest town in Northeastern Nevada. Located 30 miles beneath the base of the Ruby Mountains, it is home to bars, restaurants, art galleries, shops, museums, and more. With 13,805 residents, the economy is based on gold mining, ranching, and tourism. Elko is a vibrant town with scenic views, historic buildings, and exciting events like the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
Pahrump
Median Rent: About $1,117/month for a one-bedroom apartment
Cost of Living: 6.5% cheaper than the national average
An hour west of Las Vegas and an hour east of Death Valley National Park, Pahrump is a rapidly growing town in Southern Nevada with a population of nearly 45,000 residents. The Nye County city is considered one of the West’s fastest-growing communities with casinos, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, wineries, museums, golf, outdoor activities, and events like the Pahrump Social Powwow, featuring three days of dancing and drumming by the Western Shoshone and Paiute tribes.
Fernley
Median Rent: Between $995 and $2,900
Cost of Living: 9% cheaper than the national average
A half hour east of Reno, Fernley is the gateway to Pyramid Lake, the Black Rock Desert, The Loneliest Road in America (U.S. 50), and many other Nevada adventures. Originally a farming town near the Truckee River and Truckee River Canyon, the rapidly growing town has evolved into a technology hub thanks to the presence of major tech companies. Located in Lyon County, with a population of 22,895, Fernley is also home to the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery and the Fernley 95A Speedway.
Ely
Median Rent: $1,900
Cost of Living: 20.7% cheaper than the national average
Located on the eastern edge of “The Loneliest Highway,” in White Pine County, Ely’s origins are as a stagecoach stop and a trading post for the Pony Express. Its original steam and diesel engines still run today, an homage to the area’s locomotive history. Ely is a close-knit community of 3,892 people with historic buildings, parks, murals, art galleries, dining, lodging, and easy access to year-round recreational opportunities, including Great Basin National Park, Ward Charcoal Ovens State Park, and Cave Lake State Park.
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