Background: An elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been associated with worse oncologic outcomes in several malignancies, its prognostic role in kidney cancer, specifically in the non metastatic setting is controversial. We aimed to evaluate if an elevated NLR in patients with locally advanced non metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) is associated with a worse survival and/or a higher cancer recurrence rate. Methods: We retrospectively identified 880 nephrectomies performed between 01/2009 to 12/2016 in a single center, reviewed data from 478 consecutive radical nephrectomies (RN) for kidney tumors and identified 187 patients with locally advanced non-metastatic CCRCC patients (pT3-T4 N0M0). The cut-off point of NLR = 2.5 was obtained using the receiver operating curve analysis (ROC). NLR was obtained preoperatively and calculated by dividing absolute neutrophil count by absolute lymphocyte count. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression models were utilized to evaluate predictors of recurrence and survival. Results: Median follow up was 48.7 months. The 3 year OS was significantly lower for patients with NLR ≥ 2.5 than those with NLR < 2.5 (70% vs 85%, p = 0.049). In patients with a Fuhrman nuclear grade of differentiation of 3-4, the median time to recurrence was significantly shorter for patients with NLR ≥ compared to those with NLR < 4 (24 vs 55 months p 0.045). On multivariable analysis adjusted for NLR ≥ 2.5, microvascular invasion, sarcomatoid differentiation, tumor size and body mass index, only nuclear grade of differentiation was found to be an independent predictor for recurrence (hazard ratio= 2.18; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07 – 4.92, p = 0.03). Conclusions: Patients with non-metastatic CCRCC with higher nuclear grade of differentiation and a high preoperative NLR have shorter RFS and worse OS compared to patients with lower NLR.