Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Anchorage, AK
VS
Reno, NV
🏆 Reno leads 15 of 23 categories
Anchorage
Alaska
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$95,731 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
267⚠ High
Population
290,674 ✓ Larger
Reno
Nevada
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$73,073
Violent Crime Index
139⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
265,196
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Anchorage, AK
Pros
Households earn $22,658 more per year on average
Homes cost $98k less ($363,800 vs $462,100)
Cooler summers — July highs near 67°F vs 93°F
Cons
Violent crime (1014.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2765.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
Reno, NV
Pros
48% less violent crime than Anchorage
Milder winters — January highs near 46°F vs 21°F
Cons
Violent crime (529.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Anchorage by $22,658/yr
Pricier housing — median home is $462,100
Key Differences at a Glance
Anchorage
Median Income
$22,658
$95,731 vs $73,073/yr
Anchorage
Median Home Value
$98k less
$363,800 vs $462,100
Reno
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 102.8 vs 104.5 (100 = US avg)
Reno
Violent Crime
48% lower
529.6 vs 1014.8 per 100k
Reno
Summer Heat
25.3°F warmer
July avg high 92.7°F vs 67.4°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Reno, NV |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.5⚠ High | 102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $363,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $462,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,405⚠ High | $1,360⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $95,731 ✓ Higher | $73,073 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.1 min ✓ Shorter | 20.5 min |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% | 9.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 213⚠ High | 130⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 267⚠ High | 139⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 132⚠ High | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | B- (95) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.3:1 | 19.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 37.0% ✓ Higher | 35.3% |
| High School or Higher | 94.2% ✓ Higher | 89.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Anchorage School District | Washoe County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 20.9°F | 45.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 67.4°F | 92.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 22.6" | 9.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 33.3" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 290,674 ✓ Larger | 265,196 |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 36.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.8% ✓ Higher | 48.3% |
| Under 18 | 23.9% ✓ More | 19.8% |
| Over 65 | 12.0% | 15.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Anchorage's cost of living index is 104.5 vs Reno's 102.8 (US average = 100).
Reno is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Reno leads 15 of 23 categories. Anchorage wins 8 and Reno wins 15. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Anchorage to Reno or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($363,800 vs $462,100 median home), income ($95,731 vs $73,073), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Anchorage, AK and Reno, NV are about 1,946 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.