Carson City, NV vs Dover, DE: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, living costs in Dover, DE and Carson City, NV are within 1% of each other (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Carson City works out to about $74,500 in Dover, before taxes.
- Housing is 5.2% lower in Dover, goods 0.1% higher and other services 0.0% higher, which roughly cancel out.
- Typical asking rent is $1,775 a month in Dover and $2,070 in Carson City, $3,540 a year less in Dover (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $372,000 in Dover and $494,000 in Carson City.
- The gap has narrowed since 2019, when Dover was 3.4% less expensive than Carson City.
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Overall prices are about the same in Carson City and Dover
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Carson City, NV
- Dover, DE
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Carson City, NV | Dover, DE | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 98.1 | 97.5 |
| Goods | 96.3 | 96.4 |
| Housing (rents) | 101.2 | 95.9 |
| Utilities | 92.7 | 97.2 |
| Other services | 98.7 | 98.8 |
| Category | Carson City | Dover | Dover vs Carson City |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 98.1 | 97.5 | −0.6% |
| Goods | 96.3 | 96.4 | +0.1% |
| Housing (rents) | 101.2 | 95.9 | −5.2% |
| Utilities | 92.7 | 97.2 | +4.9% |
| Other services | 98.7 | 98.8 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $2,070 | $1,775 | −14.3% |
| Typical home value | $494,000 | $372,000 | −24.8% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Carson City | $75,000 | $74,500 | −0.6% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Carson City and Dover has narrowed since 2008: 3.0 points then, 0.6 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Carson City, NV
- Dover, DE
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Carson City, NV | Dover, DE | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 99.8 | 96.8 |
| 2009 | 95.4 | 98.1 |
| 2010 | 97.5 | 98.5 |
| 2011 | 97.4 | 98.3 |
| 2012 | 95.1 | 97.3 |
| 2013 | 96.4 | 97.7 |
| 2014 | 97.4 | 98.6 |
| 2015 | 99.1 | 97.4 |
| 2016 | 96.1 | 100.3 |
| 2017 | 97.7 | 96.7 |
| 2018 | 94.8 | 94.9 |
| 2019 | 98.5 | 95.2 |
| 2020 | 94.9 | 93.9 |
| 2021 | 94.0 | 95.8 |
| 2022 | 94.5 | 95.1 |
| 2023 | 94.9 | 91.9 |
| 2024 | 98.1 | 97.5 |
Goods
- Carson City, NV
- Dover, DE
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Carson City, NV | Dover, DE | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 100.7 | 98.3 |
| 2009 | 99.6 | 96.3 |
| 2010 | 99.5 | 97.2 |
| 2011 | 98.5 | 97.0 |
| 2012 | 97.9 | 97.4 |
| 2013 | 96.2 | 96.9 |
| 2014 | 98.0 | 97.3 |
| 2015 | 104.1 | 96.1 |
| 2016 | 105.0 | 97.1 |
| 2017 | 101.7 | 97.2 |
| 2018 | 95.7 | 95.2 |
| 2019 | 98.8 | 95.2 |
| 2020 | 96.4 | 95.2 |
| 2021 | 96.8 | 95.8 |
| 2022 | 97.1 | 94.9 |
| 2023 | 96.8 | 96.5 |
| 2024 | 96.3 | 96.4 |
Housing (rents)
- Carson City, NV
- Dover, DE
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Carson City, NV | Dover, DE | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 94.7 | 86.2 |
| 2009 | 80.1 | 98.1 |
| 2010 | 91.9 | 94.1 |
| 2011 | 94.6 | 89.6 |
| 2012 | 87.2 | 83.3 |
| 2013 | 91.1 | 89.3 |
| 2014 | 93.4 | 94.8 |
| 2015 | 88.4 | 87.0 |
| 2016 | 84.6 | 97.7 |
| 2017 | 90.7 | 84.3 |
| 2018 | 93.3 | 86.0 |
| 2019 | 103.5 | 95.1 |
| 2020 | 92.2 | 88.8 |
| 2021 | 98.8 | 83.3 |
| 2022 | 98.2 | 81.9 |
| 2023 | 93.4 | 69.1 |
| 2024 | 101.2 | 95.9 |
Utilities
- Carson City, NV
- Dover, DE
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Carson City, NV | Dover, DE | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 86.2 | 110.9 |
| 2009 | 95.7 | 115.9 |
| 2010 | 100.6 | 114.6 |
| 2011 | 97.6 | 112.6 |
| 2012 | 95.3 | 109.0 |
| 2013 | 92.6 | 104.5 |
| 2014 | 98.4 | 104.5 |
| 2015 | 99.1 | 104.2 |
| 2016 | 97.3 | 101.6 |
| 2017 | 90.3 | 96.5 |
| 2018 | 82.2 | 96.7 |
| 2019 | 86.7 | 96.4 |
| 2020 | 86.2 | 95.7 |
| 2021 | 75.6 | 91.1 |
| 2022 | 82.7 | 91.0 |
| 2023 | 90.7 | 95.7 |
| 2024 | 92.7 | 97.2 |
Other services
- Carson City, NV
- Dover, DE
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Carson City, NV | Dover, DE | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 102.2 | 98.7 |
| 2009 | 99.9 | 98.4 |
| 2010 | 98.2 | 100.1 |
| 2011 | 97.6 | 101.8 |
| 2012 | 96.4 | 101.6 |
| 2013 | 98.8 | 100.8 |
| 2014 | 98.5 | 100.4 |
| 2015 | 99.4 | 101.4 |
| 2016 | 94.3 | 103.3 |
| 2017 | 98.1 | 100.9 |
| 2018 | 95.4 | 97.8 |
| 2019 | 97.3 | 95.2 |
| 2020 | 95.4 | 94.7 |
| 2021 | 91.6 | 100.2 |
| 2022 | 92.0 | 100.2 |
| 2023 | 94.3 | 98.2 |
| 2024 | 98.7 | 98.8 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,775 in Dover vs $2,070 in Carson City
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Carson City, NV
- Dover, DE
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Carson City, NV | Dover, DE | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | – | $1,030 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | – | $1,038 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | – | $1,020 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | – | $1,043 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | – | $1,054 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | – | $1,062 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | – | $1,056 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | – | $1,042 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | – | $1,074 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | – | $1,078 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | – | $1,083 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | – | $1,098 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | – | $1,105 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | – | $1,115 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | – | $1,126 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | – | $1,114 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | – | $1,133 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | – | $1,151 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | – | $1,162 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | – | $1,149 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | – | $1,166 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | – | $1,181 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | – | $1,212 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | – | $1,257 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | – | $1,308 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | – | $1,375 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | – | $1,457 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | – | $1,470 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | – | $1,450 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | – | $1,509 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | – | $1,519 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,797 | $1,570 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,802 | $1,554 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,829 | $1,552 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,853 | $1,605 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,825 | $1,617 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,878 | $1,642 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,867 | $1,645 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,917 | $1,640 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,902 | $1,652 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,930 | $1,697 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,953 | $1,688 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,961 | $1,698 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,984 | $1,709 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $2,023 | $1,739 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $2,046 | $1,732 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $2,070 | $1,775 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $372,000 in Dover vs $494,000 in Carson City
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Carson City, NV
- Dover, DE
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Carson City, NV | Dover, DE | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $203K | $192K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $210K | $196K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $221K | $199K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $231K | $200K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $240K | $201K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $248K | $204K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $255K | $207K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $261K | $209K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $271K | $210K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $277K | $209K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $282K | $209K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $290K | $211K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $299K | $214K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $308K | $217K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $314K | $219K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $320K | $219K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $328K | $225K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $333K | $228K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $339K | $230K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $340K | $233K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $347K | $237K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $348K | $240K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $352K | $246K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $373K | $258K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $398K | $270K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $425K | $282K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $442K | $288K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $449K | $295K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $471K | $309K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $486K | $322K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $475K | $324K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $458K | $323K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $449K | $327K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $449K | $333K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $460K | $339K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $469K | $345K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $473K | $347K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $477K | $351K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $479K | $352K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $483K | $358K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $488K | $360K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $489K | $360K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $489K | $363K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $490K | $366K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $490K | $368K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $489K | $369K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $494K | $372K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.