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Quality of Life in Ely, NV
Above-average quality of iife. The area offers a reasonable cost of living, decent mobility, and a mix of neighborhood amenities.
What does Quality of Life tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
What does this tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
Cost of Living
25% below national average
The Real Cost of Living in Ely, NV for 2026
| Tier | Individual | Family (4) |
|---|---|---|
| Survival | $14k | $27k |
| Comfortable | $39k | $58k |
| Luxury | $87k+ | $134k+ |
| Elite (Top 5%) | $102k+ | $158k+ |
150%
The Area Signal
A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.
Hobbies
Explore the areaGroceries
0 within 10 miles
Gas
11 within 10 miles
Hospital
1 within 20 miles
Airport
SLC — Salt Lake City International
Post Office
USPS — Ely, NV
Critical Amenities
Quality-of-Life Analysis
Ely, Nevada, offers a notably low cost of living that attracts a mix of retirees, outdoor enthusiasts, and workers in mining and government sectors, but its relative isolation means residents trade urban amenities for wide-open spaces and a slower pace. With a cost-of-living index of 75 (25% below the U.S. average), Ely is one of the most affordable communities in the Intermountain West. The population of roughly 4,000 is predominantly older and white, with a median age near 45, reflecting a stable, long-term resident base rather than a transient workforce.
Cost of living, housing affordability, and how Ely compares to nearby towns
Housing in Ely is dramatically cheaper than in Nevada’s urban centers. The median home value sits at $201,500, compared to $450,000+ in Reno or Las Vegas, while the median rent is just $900 per month. This makes homeownership accessible even for single-income households or retirees on fixed incomes. The overall cost-of-living index of 75 is driven by low housing, utilities, and transportation costs, though groceries and healthcare can be slightly higher due to the town’s remote location—roughly 240 miles from Salt Lake City and 250 miles from Las Vegas. Compared to nearby towns like McGill (10 miles west) or Ruth (15 miles south), Ely offers more services and a wider housing stock, but prices are comparable. The average commute of 24.8 minutes is slightly longer than the national average, reflecting the spread-out nature of employment in mining and government jobs, but still manageable for a rural area.
What daily life is like: amenities, schools, and local rhythm
Daily life in Ely revolves around a compact downtown core along Aultman Street, where you’ll find the county courthouse, a grocery store, a hardware store, and a handful of diners and bars. The White Pine County School District serves the area, with White Pine High School graduating around 80 students per year; test scores hover near state averages, but class sizes are small (typically 15-20 students). For healthcare, the William Bee Ririe Hospital provides emergency and basic services, but specialists require a drive to Elko (2 hours north) or Salt Lake City. The town’s biggest cultural draw is the Nevada Northern Railway Museum, a historic rail yard that offers train rides and draws tourists. Outdoor recreation is the main lifestyle perk: fishing at Cave Lake State Park, hiking in the Schell Creek Range, and hunting in the surrounding Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest are all within 30 minutes. The pace is slow—most businesses close by 6 p.m., and the social scene centers on church, school sports, and the local VFW hall. Internet access is improving, with fiber-optic service now available in parts of town, but cell coverage remains spotty outside the city limits.
Ely is best suited for people who value affordability, quiet, and proximity to nature over career diversity, nightlife, or urban convenience. Retirees on fixed incomes, remote workers who need reliable internet but not constant stimulation, and families who want a safe, low-pressure environment for raising children will find the most to like here. Those seeking job growth, cultural amenities, or a diverse social scene should look elsewhere—Ely’s economy is heavily tied to copper mining (with KGHM and Freeport-McMoRan as major employers) and government services, and the population has been slowly declining since the 1980s. For the right person, however, the combination of $900 rent, a 25-minute commute, and world-class stargazing in the Great Basin National Park dark-sky zone makes Ely a hidden gem in the high desert.
Crime in Ely, NV
Higher crime rates than 57% of comparable U.S. locations.
Violent CrimeViolent Crime Analysis
Property CrimeProperty Crime Analysis
Crime Analysis
Ely, Nevada, presents a mixed safety profile that requires careful consideration for potential movers. While the city's violent crime rate of 371.5 per 100,000 residents is slightly below the national average, its property crime rate of 1,977.7 per 100,000 is significantly elevated, nearly 50% higher than the U.S. figure. This combination means residents face a higher-than-average risk of theft and burglary, though the likelihood of a violent encounter is roughly in line with typical American communities.
Crime in context
When compared to Nevada's statewide averages, Ely's violent crime rate is notably lower. The state's violent crime rate stands at approximately 430 per 100,000, meaning Ely is about 14% safer in this category. However, property crime tells a different story. Nevada's overall property crime rate is roughly 1,600 per 100,000, making Ely's rate of 1,977.7 about 24% higher. This disparity is particularly pronounced for larceny-theft, which accounts for the bulk of property offenses. It is important to note that Ely is a small, remote community in White Pine County, far from the progressive judicial environments of larger Nevada metros like Las Vegas or Reno. The local justice system tends to reflect more conservative, rural values, which can influence sentencing and recidivism rates. Ely's violent crime rate of 371.5 per 100,000 is below the national average of 380 per 100,000, but its property crime rate of 1,977.7 far exceeds the national average of 1,342 per 100,000.
What residents experience
Daily life in Ely involves a tangible awareness of property crime. Residents commonly report vehicle break-ins, theft from yards and sheds, and occasional burglaries of unoccupied homes. The community is tight-knit, and many locals know their neighbors, which acts as a natural deterrent. However, the city's location along major highways (U.S. Routes 6, 50, and 93) makes it a pass-through for transient populations, contributing to opportunistic crime. Violent incidents are rare and typically involve individuals who know each other, rather than random attacks on strangers. Most violent crime in Ely is not random, but property crime is a persistent concern for homeowners and renters alike.
Neighborhood-level variation in Ely is modest but noticeable. The historic downtown core and areas near the railroad tracks tend to see slightly higher rates of petty theft and vandalism. Residential streets on the outskirts, particularly those with larger lots and fewer streetlights, may experience occasional burglaries. The newer subdivisions on the city's east side, near the hospital and Steptoe Valley, generally report lower crime incidents. For those considering a move, properties on the east side of Ely, away from the main commercial corridors, typically offer the safest residential environment. Overall, while Ely is not a high-violence community, its property crime problem is real and should factor into any relocation decision, especially for those with valuable possessions or who travel frequently.
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-29T17:54:36.000Z
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