on $100k a year, leaving Chicago

change
Reno, NV cityscape

if you left chicago

Reno

nv · metro 565k

a dispatch from

reno

NV

39.53°N

119.81°W

Reno calls itself the Biggest Little City in the World and means it: casinos and neon, sure, but also a quietly cool downtown, a strong outdoor culture (Tahoe is 45 minutes south), and the Truckee River running right through the middle of everything. The University of Nevada keeps things young. Burning Man buses depart from here every August. Sunnier and drier than people expect.

metro565k

01 · the verdict

the verdict

$674

below Chicago's monthly cost

Reno gives you room Chicago doesn't. Same gross salary, lower monthly cost of living.
landable, recorded on the reno entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,908/mo

12% cheaper than Chicago(vs $2,170/mo)

02state income tax

0%

$412/mo less in state tax than Chicago

vs 4.95% in Chicago

03after rent

$6,425/mo

$674 more than Chicago

gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.

04a house here

$574k

57% more expensive than Chicago

vs $365k in Chicago

05metro size

565k

vs 9.3M in Chicago

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

201

pleasant days a year, in reno.

Chicago barely cracks 153 pleasant ones.

Chicago hosts 12.6× more events.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

71/100

1% higher than Chicago

vs 70/100 in Chicago

Closest outdoor draw: Tahoe National Forest, 20.1 mi.

·walk score®

95/100

5% lower than Chicago

vs 100/100 in Chicago

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

13

94% fewer than Chicago

vs 217 nonstops in Chicago

04 · see also

in the same ballpark as reno: