In Carson City, Nevada, the typical household earns $72,355 a year and the typical rent is $1,248. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- A quick profile of Carson City
- Homes and rents, Carson City
- Carson City income bands
- What stands out in Carson City
- Employment and commuting in Carson City
- Census places in Carson City
- Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
- Age, degrees and coverage in Carson City
- Debt-to-income, Carson City edition
- Borrowing situations common in Carson City
- Checking a lender's license in Nevada
- Steps before you apply in Carson City
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Carson City
Carson City is home to about 58,384 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 4th most populous of 17 county-level areas in Nevada. Carson City spans 145 square miles; with 58,384 people, that is 403.9 per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Carson City, NV metropolitan area. Largest place: Carson City, about 58,384 residents (100% of Carson City); 1 Census place in all.
Homes and rents, Carson City
Half of Carson City renters pay more than $1,248 a month and half pay less; the Nevada midpoint is $1,597. About 5 in 10 Carson City renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. Home values center on $453,000, or 6.3 years of median income. Owners occupy 62% of homes. Against the median U.S. county, Carson City rent is 42% above.
| Measure | Carson City | Nevada | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,248/mo | $1,597/mo | 22% lower |
| Median home value | $453,000 | $435,400 | 4% higher |
| Owners | 62% | 60% | +2.4 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 50% | 56% | -6.2 pts |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 31% | -2.7 pts |
| Vacant units | 6% | 9% | -3.5 pts |
Carson City income bands
Half of Carson City households take in less than $72,355 a year and half take in more, 8% below the Nevada median of $78,260. In the state ranking that is 11th of 17.
| Households earning | Carson City | +/- vs Nevada |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 20.4% | -0.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.9% | +6.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.7% | -3.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 9.0% | -1.9 pts |
The spread is wide: 33% of Carson City households make $100,000 or more, and 20% make less than $35,000. Carson City counts about 6,038 residents below the poverty line, 10.3% of the population. For a borrower in Carson City, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
What stands out in Carson City
Ranked against the other 16 county-level areas in Nevada, these are the Carson City figures furthest from the middle.
- Few Nevada counties match Carson City on the housing vacancy rate: 6% here, 9% for the state, ranking the lowest of 17. Low vacancy tends to push rents up over time.
- Carson City ranks 3rd highest of 17 Nevada counties for median home value: $453,000, against $435,400 statewide. High values mean many owners could borrow against equity; weigh that risk carefully.
- Few Nevada counties match Carson City on population: 58,384 here, 3,184,612 for the state, ranking 4th highest of 17. More people usually means more banks and credit unions to compare nearby.
Employment and commuting in Carson City
By the Census industry count, 21% of employed Carson City residents work in education and health care and 12% in professional and administrative services. Public administration stands out: 11% of workers here, versus 4% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 5.5% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 10% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 10% work from home. Households without a car make up 6.8% of the total (7.0% statewide).
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Carson City | Gap to Nevada |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.3% | +4.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 12.3% | -0.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 11.5% | -8.2 pts |
| Public administration | 11.1% | +6.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.5% | -0.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.0% | +4.8 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Carson City should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Census places in Carson City
Just one Census place, Carson City, lies mainly within Carson City; it holds about 58,384 people. This guide covers each of the 1 places and the rural areas around them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carson City | place | 58,384 | $72,355 | $1,248 | 0 mi |
Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
Douglas County is closest, 19 miles from center to center; the sixth, Sierra County, is 51 miles off. El Dorado County leads the group on income ($108,845), Sierra County trails ($63,355), and Carson City out-earns 1 of the six. Some neighbors are in California. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Carson City resident follows Nevada rules.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carson City | - | $72,355 | $1,248/mo | 62% |
| Douglas County, NV | 19 mi | $90,754 | $1,593/mo | 79% |
| Storey County, NV | 23 mi | $93,409 | $1,153/mo | 96% |
| Lyon County, NV | 31 mi | $80,812 | $1,326/mo | 77% |
| Alpine County, CA | 37 mi | $105,521 | n/a | 78% |
| El Dorado County, CA | 49 mi | $108,845 | $1,715/mo | 77% |
| Sierra County, CA | 51 mi | $63,355 | n/a | 72% |
Age, degrees and coverage in Carson City
College graduates make up 24% of the adult population. Health coverage gaps: 11.2% of Carson City residents are uninsured.
| Indicator | Carson City | +/- Nevada | +/- U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 23.7% | -4.2 pts | +1.6 pts |
| Median age | 42.4 | +3.3 yrs | +0.9 yrs |
| Work from home | 9.8% | -2.1 pts | +1.2 pts |
| Poverty rate | 10.3% | -2.1 pts | -2.8 pts |
| No high school diploma | 10.8% | -1.7 pts | n/a |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.5% | -1.5 pts | +1.1 pts |
| No health insurance | 11.2% | -0.3 pts | +3.3 pts |
| No vehicle | 6.8% | -0.2 pts | +1.4 pts |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 42.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 29.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 18.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.6% |
| 60+ min | 5.4% |
Debt-to-income, Carson City edition
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Carson City's medians:
- Median income divided by twelve: $6,030 before taxes
- Median rent: $1,248, or 21 cents of every gross dollar
- Under a 36% cap, $2,171 total minus rent leaves $923
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Carson City's.
Borrowing situations common in Carson City
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Carson City borrowers.
- Care without coverage. About 6,520 Carson City residents lack insurance; check charity care before a loan (how).
- Rent at $1,248. With 50% burdened, a short term and small amount keep risk down.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Checking a lender's license in Nevada
Consumer lenders serving Carson City are licensed by the state, not the county; in Nevada that is the Nevada Financial Institutions Division. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The Nevada guide covers state rules in more detail.
Steps before you apply in Carson City
Before you apply, wherever you live in Carson City:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Carson City-area credit union.
- Verify the Nevada license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Nearby and statewide guides
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Carson City earn?
The median is $72,355; 33% earn $100,000 or more and 20% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What is the median rent in Carson City, NV?
$1,248 a month, utilities included, or $14,976 a year.
What are the biggest places in Carson City?
By population: Carson City. The county has 1 Census place in all.
Is the fit check different in Carson City?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
How do I know a lender is legitimate in Carson City?
Look it up with the Nevada Financial Institutions Division, read the written offer, and refuse any fee before funding.