Housing in Nevada facts and figures

How much do homes in the area cost?

• In Lyon County, single-family homes sold for an average $210,692.

260 homes were sold through the multiple listing service.

• In Douglas County, single-family homes sold for an average $584,631.

227 homes were sold through the multiple listing service.

• In Carson City, single-family homes sold for an average $319,199.

114 homes were sold through the multiple listing service.

• In Storey County, single-family homes sold for an average $296,500.

4 homes were sold through the multiple listing service.

Source: Northern Nevada Regional Multiple Listing Service data for first quarter 2005

Is affordable housing a problem in Nevada?

In Nevada, an extremely low-income household, earning $16,900 a year, can afford monthly rent of no more than $423, while the fair market rent for a two-bedroom unit is $880. In Carson City the monthly rent of a two-bedroom unit is $742.

A minimum wage earner can afford monthly rent of no more than $268. That same worker would have to work 131 hours a week to afford a two-bedroom unit.

A Nevada worker needs to earn $16.92 an hour in a 40-hour work week to afford a two-bedroom unit.

In Carson City, a worker needs to earn $14.27 to afford a two-bedroom unit. That worker must make $29,680 a year to afford that same-sized home.

The median monthly rental and mortgage housing cost was $1,267 in 2002.

Source: National Low Income Housing Coalition, Out of Reach 2004 report and the Taxpayers Network.