Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chandler, AZ
VS
Reno, NV
🏆 Chandler leads 20 of 23 categories
Chandler
Arizona
20
wins
Cost of Living Index
101.4⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$99,374 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
35 ✓ Safer
Population
275,618 ✓ Larger
Reno
Nevada
3
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,073
Violent Crime Index
139⚠ High
Population
265,196
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chandler, AZ
Pros
75% less violent crime than Reno
Households earn $26,301 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (133.4 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (3.8%)
Milder winters — January highs near 71°F vs 46°F
More college-educated — 46.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,675/mo
Hot summers — July highs average 106°F
Reno, NV
Pros
Rent averages $315/mo less ($1,360 vs $1,675)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 93°F vs 106°F
Cons
Median income trails Chandler by $26,301/yr
Violent crime (529.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (5.0% vs 3.8%)
Pricier housing — median home is $462,100
Key Differences at a Glance
Chandler
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 101.4 vs 102.8 (100 = US avg)
Chandler
Median Income
$26,301
$99,374 vs $73,073/yr
Chandler
Violent Crime
75% lower
133.4 vs 529.6 per 100k
Chandler
Median Home Value
$38k less
$423,900 vs $462,100
Chandler
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
3.8% vs 5.0% unemployment
Chandler
Summer Heat
13.2°F warmer
July avg high 105.9°F vs 92.7°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Reno, NV |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 101.4⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 102.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $423,900⚠ High ✓ Lower | $462,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,675⚠ High | $1,360⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $99,374 ✓ Higher | $73,073 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.2 min | 20.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 19.6% ✓ Higher | 9.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 50 ✓ Safer | 130⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 35 ✓ Safer | 139⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 72 ✓ Safer | 116⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (109) ✓ Better | B- (95) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 19.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 46.2% ✓ Higher | 35.3% |
| High School or Higher | 94.2% ✓ Higher | 89.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Chandler Unified District #80 (4242) | Washoe County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 70.6°F ✓ Warmer | 45.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 105.9°F ✓ Warmer | 92.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.7" ✓ Drier | 9.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 33.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 275,618 ✓ Larger | 265,196 |
| Median Age | 37.0 ✓ Older | 36.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.6% ✓ Higher | 48.3% |
| Under 18 | 23.5% ✓ More | 19.8% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 15.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chandler's cost of living index is 101.4 vs Reno's 102.8 (US average = 100).
Chandler is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Chandler leads 20 of 23 categories. Chandler wins 20 and Reno wins 3. 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 Chandler to Reno or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($423,900 vs $462,100 median home), income ($99,374 vs $73,073), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chandler, AZ and Reno, NV are about 620 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.