Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Hesperia, CA
VS
Reno, NV
🏆 Reno leads 14 of 23 categories
Hesperia
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$67,698
Violent Crime Index
137⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
99,878
Reno
Nevada
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$73,073 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
139⚠ High
Population
265,196 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Hesperia, CA
Pros
Homes cost $125k less ($337,600 vs $462,100)
Milder winters — January highs near 60°F vs 46°F
Cons
Violent crime (519.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (9.8% vs 5.0%)
Longer commutes — 42.4 min average each way
Median income trails Reno by $5,375/yr
Reno, NV
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.8 pts lower (5.0%)
Commutes run 22 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 35.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $5,375 more per year on average
Rent averages $76/mo less ($1,360 vs $1,436)
5% cheaper overall cost of living than Hesperia
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $462,100
Violent crime (529.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Key Differences at a Glance
Hesperia
Median Home Value
$125k less
$337,600 vs $462,100
Hesperia
Summer Heat
4.1°F warmer
July avg high 96.8°F vs 92.7°F
Reno
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 102.8 vs 107.9 (100 = US avg)
Reno
Median Income
$5,375
$73,073 vs $67,698/yr
Reno
Unemployment
4.8 pp lower
5.0% vs 9.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Hesperia, CA | Reno, NV |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 107.9⚠ High | 102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $337,600⚠ High ✓ Lower | $462,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,436⚠ High | $1,360⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,698 | $73,073 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.8%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 42.4 min⚠ High | 20.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 8.3% | 9.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 109⚠ High ✓ Safer | 130⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 137⚠ High ✓ Safer | 139⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 68 ✓ Safer | 116⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (81) | B- (95) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 23.4:1 | 19.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 10.9% | 35.3% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 78.0% | 89.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Hesperia Unified | Washoe County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 60.2°F ✓ Warmer | 45.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 96.8°F ✓ Warmer | 92.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.1" | 9.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 33.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 99,878 | 265,196 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 36.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.5% ✓ Higher | 48.3% |
| Under 18 | 29.3% ✓ More | 19.8% |
| Over 65 | 9.9% | 15.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Hesperia's cost of living index is 107.9 vs Reno's 102.8 (US average = 100).
Reno is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Reno leads 14 of 23 categories. Hesperia wins 9 and Reno wins 14. 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 Hesperia to Reno or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($337,600 vs $462,100 median home), income ($67,698 vs $73,073), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Hesperia, CA and Reno, NV are about 382 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.