Nevada households earn a median $78,260 a year and pay a median $1,597 in rent, according to the Census Bureau. Before borrowing, confirm the lender's state license, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and walk away from any upfront fee.
On this page
- Nevada by the numbers
- What the numbers mean for Nevada borrowers
- Largest places in Nevada
- Mid-size Nevada communities
- Counties with the most residents
- How Nevada earns a living
- More context for Nevada budgets
- Checking a lender in Nevada
- Can Nevada residents use the questionnaire?
- Local guides in Nevada
- Frequently asked questions
Nevada by the numbers
Nevada in sixteen numbers, each beside the U.S. value and a rank where 1 is the highest of 51.
| Measure | Nevada | U.S. | Rank of 51 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $78,260 | $80,734 | 23rd |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent | 56% | 51% | 3rd |
| Median home value | $435,400 | $332,700 | 10th |
| Homes owner-occupied | 60% | 65% | 48th |
| Cost-burdened owners with a mortgage | 31% | 28% | 6th |
| Home value to income ratio | 5.6x | 4.1x | 7th |
| Workers commuting 45+ minutes | 11% | 17% | 37th |
| Working from home | 12% | 15% | 34th |
| Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree | 28% | 36% | 46th |
| Age, median | 39.1 | 38.9 | 24th |
| Gini index (inequality) | 0.467 | 0.483 | 25th |
| Households earning under $35,000 | 21% | 21% | 29th |
| Share of households at $100,000+ | 38% | 41% | 24th |
| Poverty rate | 12.4% | 12.5% | 21st |
| Unemployment rate (ACS) | 7.0% | 5.2% | 1st |
| Median gross rent per month | $1,597 | $1,413 | 11th |
What the numbers mean for Nevada borrowers
On commuting, Nevada ranks 37th: 11% of workers need 45 minutes or more to get to work (U.S. 17%). Working from home cuts commuting costs but can make income harder to document if you are a contractor.
Nevada posts an ACS unemployment rate of 7.0% and a poverty rate of 12.4%, compared with 5.2% and 12.5% for the country. If your job is seasonal or hourly, lenders may ask for more months of statements to see a steady pattern.
Rent is a pressure point for 56% of Nevada renter households, who spend 30 percent or more of income on it (U.S.: 51%). Median gross rent is $1,597 a month, 11th highest among the 51. If rent already takes a third of your pay, a new payment needs a stress test: could you make it in a month with a surprise bill?
Owners make up 60% of Nevada households. With a median home value of $435,400, 10th of 51, a house costs about 5.6 years of median household income. Among owners with a mortgage, 31% spend 30 percent or more of income on housing (U.S.: 28%).
Largest places in Nevada
Nevada's 12 biggest cities and towns by population, from the 2020 to 2024 ACS. Where we publish a local guide, the name links to it.
| Place | County | People | Median household income | Rent (median) | Home value (median) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | Clark County | 660,400 | $73,877 | $1,563 | $427,900 |
| Henderson | Clark County | 332,141 | $90,138 | $1,824 | $484,900 |
| North Las Vegas | Clark County | 278,595 | $79,542 | $1,705 | $404,400 |
| Reno | Washoe County | 273,212 | $80,760 | $1,556 | $548,300 |
| Enterprise | Clark County | 240,464 | $98,462 | $1,934 | $475,500 |
| Spring Valley | Clark County | 219,187 | $74,511 | $1,743 | $433,800 |
| Sunrise Manor | Clark County | 200,218 | $58,421 | $1,397 | $320,000 |
| Paradise | Clark County | 185,913 | $59,190 | $1,372 | $384,200 |
| Sparks | Washoe County | 110,024 | $89,056 | $1,716 | $483,800 |
| Carson City | Carson City | 58,384 | $72,355 | $1,248 | $453,000 |
| Pahrump | Nye County | 47,347 | $62,109 | $1,304 | $310,300 |
| Whitney | Clark County | 47,221 | $67,155 | $1,574 | $329,000 |
Size first: 10 Nevada places pass 50,000 residents and 24 pass 10,000. Income next: among those over 20,000, Winchester sits lowest at $50,120 and Summerlin South highest at $117,035. The highest median rent among them is $2,509 in Summerlin South, the lowest $1,181 in Mesquite.
Mid-size Nevada communities
Places ranked 13 to 32 by population.
| Place | Residents | Median income | Rent (median) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winchester | 37,081 | $50,120 | $1,220 |
| Summerlin South | 31,354 | $117,035 | $2,509 |
| Fernley | 24,225 | $89,517 | $1,570 |
| Sun Valley | 22,228 | $77,446 | $1,214 |
| Mesquite | 22,059 | $75,227 | $1,181 |
| Elko | 20,696 | $79,036 | $1,267 |
| Spanish Springs | 17,980 | $127,658 | $1,963 |
| Dayton | 15,781 | $102,819 | $1,521 |
| Boulder City | 14,919 | $74,757 | $1,427 |
| Spring Creek | 14,739 | $105,154 | $1,386 |
| Gardnerville Ranchos | 12,114 | $87,785 | $1,533 |
| Cold Springs | 11,321 | $93,732 | $2,185 |
| Fallon | 9,463 | $73,389 | $1,230 |
| Incline Village | 9,272 | $167,069 | $1,961 |
| Laughlin | 8,789 | $45,685 | $1,112 |
| Winnemucca | 8,361 | $81,824 | $965 |
| Moapa Valley | 6,684 | $89,250 | $1,135 |
| Johnson Lane | 6,467 | $121,458 | $1,475 |
| Indian Hills | 5,527 | $78,278 | $1,496 |
| Gardnerville | 5,486 | $62,267 | $1,241 |
Measured as a year of median rent against median household income, housing weighs most in Winchester (29%) and least in Incline Village (14%) among these 20 places.
Counties with the most residents
Population and housing costs for the 16 biggest of 17 counties in Nevada.
| County | Population | Median income | Median gross rent | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clark County | 2,329,548 | $76,472 | $1,626 | $431,000 |
| Washoe County | 497,200 | $88,096 | $1,608 | $539,900 |
| Lyon County | 61,680 | $80,812 | $1,326 | $366,100 |
| Carson City | 58,384 | $72,355 | $1,248 | $453,000 |
| Nye County | 54,344 | $60,714 | $1,181 | $290,900 |
| Elko County | 54,047 | $86,487 | $1,164 | $301,400 |
| Douglas County | 49,623 | $90,754 | $1,593 | $615,400 |
| Churchill County | 25,805 | $79,163 | $1,319 | $329,900 |
| Humboldt County | 17,289 | $81,073 | $994 | $278,300 |
| White Pine County | 8,735 | $72,865 | $937 | $220,000 |
| Pershing County | 6,487 | $66,902 | $715 | $179,500 |
| Lander County | 5,770 | $89,014 | $902 | $213,800 |
| Mineral County | 4,542 | $54,855 | $905 | $156,200 |
| Lincoln County | 4,405 | $72,307 | $919 | $219,500 |
| Storey County | 4,140 | $93,409 | $1,153 | $426,400 |
| Eureka County | 1,585 | $70,473 | $969 | $82,600 |
The county income gap: $93,409 at the top in Storey County, $41,715 at the bottom in Esmeralda County. A statewide average hides that spread, which is why the same loan can be comfortable in one county and a stretch in the next.
How Nevada earns a living
Which sectors put Nevada to work? The four biggest are below, alongside national shares.
| Sector | Share of Nevada workers | National share | Gap vs U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arts, entertainment, lodging and food service | 20% | 9% | +11.0 pts |
| Education, health care and social assistance | 17% | 24% | -6.4 pts |
| Professional, scientific and administrative services | 13% | 13% | +0.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 11% | 11% | +0.3 pts |
Arts, entertainment, lodging and food service is the sector with the biggest gap over the national mix, employing 20% of Nevada workers (U.S.: 9%). Whatever the sector, bring proof of income that covers at least the last two months.
More context for Nevada budgets
A middle-of-the-road Nevada household brings in $78,260 a year. That is 3% below the $80,734 national median and good for 23rd place. Think of the median as the budget a typical offer is written for; if yours is tighter, borrow less.
Nevada's Gini index of income inequality is 0.467 (U.S.: 0.483; higher means more unequal), 28% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree, and the median resident is 39.1 years old.
Incomes are spread unevenly: 21% of Nevada households earn under $35,000 (U.S.: 21%), while 38% earn $100,000 or more (U.S.: 41%) and 11% top $200,000. Households at the lower end often do better with a smaller loan, or with a hardship plan from the creditor they already owe.
Checking a lender in Nevada
A two-minute check protects you: look the lender up before you share a Social Security number. In Nevada the banking agency named by CSBS is the Nevada Financial Institutions Division.
- NMLS Consumer Access shows many lenders' licenses state by state.
- Legitimate lenders take fees out of the loan or bill them later, never by gift card or wire first (FTC).
- File any complaint with the state agency, or with the CFPB.
Can Nevada residents use the questionnaire?
Availability of lending partners varies by state. When Nevada is not yet covered, the form tells you on the second step and lets you join an email list, with no calls and nothing else collected.
Local guides in Nevada
Open a local guide for a closer look at your own city (6 in Nevada):
Frequently asked questions
How do I verify a lender in Nevada?
In Nevada, the Nevada Financial Institutions Division is the banking agency named by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors. You can also search a lender on NMLS Consumer Access and file complaints with the CFPB.
What do households in Nevada earn?
The Census Bureau puts it at $78,260, which places Nevada 23rd of 51 (U.S.: $80,734).
What is the median rent in Nevada?
The typical renter pays $1,597; the U.S. median is $1,413. In Nevada, 56% of renting households spend 30 percent or more of income on housing.
What share of Nevada households earn $100,000 or more?
38% of households, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 estimates, while 21% earn under $35,000. Lenders look at your own documented income, not these shares.