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Cost of homeownership in Washoe County, Nevada

Real dollar cost of ownership, rent-vs-buy analysis, and flood risk, backed by Census ACS, FEMA, and FHFA data. Population: 486,674.

Median home value
$460,000
Median property tax
$2,196
Monthly owner cost
$1,965
with mortgage
Affordability (cost % of income)
17.7%

Total annual ownership cost

Breakdown of what owning a typical home in Washoe County costs each year.

  • Property taxes$2,196
  • Insurance estimate$1,500
  • Utilities / energy$1,420
  • Maintenance (1% of value)$4,600
  • Total$9,716/yr · $810/mo

Insurance and energy figures typically vary by property. Adjust in the calculators for a personalized estimate.

Total
$9,716
/ year

Rent vs. buy in Washoe County

Pre-filled with local median home value, median gross rent (Census ACS / HUD FMR), and current FRED rate.

Flood risk

Historical signal from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.

HIGH RISK
Total claims
89
Avg claim
$17,750
Active policies
265
Avg premium
$1,314
NFIP policy

Historical claims do not capture uninsured properties. A low score does not eliminate flood risk. FEMA flood-zone maps at msc.fema.gov list parcel-level designations.

Full flood-risk breakdown →

Home price trend in Nevada

FHFA House Price Index, quarterly.

vs. Nevada average
Home value above state average.
Property tax above state average.
Homeownership
58.6%

Share of units owner-occupied (Census ACS).

Median household income
$81,531

Census ACS 5-year estimate.

Housing cost burden in Washoe County

Share of households paying 30% or more of income on housing (HUD CHAS 2017-2021). HUD does not publish county-level CHAS rollups through the public API, so Nevada state data is shown for local context alongside the US average.

Nevada: 30%+ cost burdened
56.7%
659,670 households surveyed
Nevada: severely burdened (50%+)
26.2%
Paying at least half of income on housing.
Owner vs renter burden
Owner 30%+: 36.9%
Renter 30%+: 40.1%
Renters typically carry a heavier cost burden than owners with a fixed-rate mortgage.

Affordability by income bracket

Monthly 30% housing budget at each income vs the median owner cost in Washoe County. Bars above the dashed line can absorb this county's typical ownership cost.

HUD area median income (4-person household) for Nevada: $97,500. Income limits define 80% AMI at $78,000 and 50% AMI at $48,750.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to own a home in Washoe County?

Based on Census ACS, typical total annual cost in Washoe County is around $9,716 ($810 per month), covering property tax, insurance estimate, utilities, and 1% maintenance. Your actual cost varies by home age, size, and location within the county.

What is the property tax in Washoe County?

Median annual property tax is $2,196 on the county's median home value of $460,000 (Census ACS).

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Washoe County?

Annual ownership cost is roughly 42% lower than annual rent at the county's median. Use the calculator below to model your specific situation.

What is the flood risk in Washoe County?

high historical flood-risk score from FEMA NFIP: 89 claims, average claim $17,750.

Data sources

Disclaimer. HomeRule is not a real estate agent, lender, appraiser, or financial advisor. This content is for educational and informational purposes only. Actual costs vary significantly by property, location, and individual circumstances. Consult qualified professionals for personalized advice.